87R2845 JG-D
 
  By: Walle, Meza, Morales of Maverick, Ortega H.B. No. 701
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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; and
               (2)  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 help enroll in the supplemental
  nutrition assistance program eligible individuals described by
  this section who are receiving Medicaid benefits.  The commission
  may seek or use private funding or contract with a public or private
  entity to carry out this section.
         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.