| TO: | Honorable Patrick M. Rose, Chair, House Committee on Human Services |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB613 by Naishtat (Relating to periodic food stamp eligibility recertification requirements.), As Introduced |
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to the maximum extent allowed by federal law, to recertify the eligibility of a person for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called the Food Stamp Program, without an interview if the person otherwise meets the periodic eligibility recertification requirements. The elimination of an interview would be more convenient to applicants and would be expected to increase caseload. However, SNAP benefits are not in the state budget and the change in recertification policy would have no cost impact to the state. HHSC reports that, if a waiver were approved, the program change may require minor automation changes that it could absorb within existing resources at an estimated cost of ($20,400).
The bill would permit HHSC to apply for a waiver from the federal Food and Nutrition Service and delay implementation of the bill until the waiver is approved.
The bill takes effect on September 1, 2009
| Source Agencies: | 529 Health and Human Services Commission
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, CL, MH, LI, GD
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