S.B. No. 224

AN ACT

relating to simplified certification and recertification requirements for certain persons under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 33.015(a), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) In administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the commission shall, except as provided by Subsection (c) and Section 33.019, allow a person to comply with initial eligibility requirements, including any initial interview, and with subsequent periodic eligibility recertification requirements by telephone instead of through a personal appearance at commission offices if:

(1) the person and each member of the person's household:

(A) have no earned income; and

(B) are elderly or persons with disabilities; or

(2) the person is subject to a hardship, as determined by commission rule.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 33.019 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.019. SIMPLIFIED CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN SNAP APPLICANTS AND RECIPIENTS. (a) The commission shall develop and implement simplified certification and recertification requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for an individual who:

(1) is 60 years of age or older or is a person with a disability, as determined by commission rule;

(2) has no earned income; and

(3) resides in a household in which every individual residing in the household is 60 years of age or older or is a person with a disability, as determined by commission rule.

(b) The simplified requirements must:

(1) allow an individual described by this section to waive recertification interview requirements;

(2) simplify and reduce the number of verification requirements for certifying and recertifying eligibility to receive benefits, which must include the use of a shortened application form; and

(3) allow the individual to remain eligible for benefits for 36 months after certification and after each recertification.

(c) An individual described by this section is required to:

(1) submit to the commission a change reporting form every 12 months during the 36-month eligibility period; and

(2) report to the commission, in accordance with federal law, when the individual receives an increase in income.

(d) The commission shall, in a manner that complies with federal law, use data matching to inform eligible individuals described by this section who are receiving Medicaid benefits of their eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

SECTION 3. Section 33.019, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an application or recertification of eligibility of a person for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits submitted on or after January 1, 2022.

SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 224 passed the Senate on April 8, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 224 passed the House, with amendment, on May 24, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 117, Nays 28, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor