Congress moves to boost food stamps, eliminate work-time limits
H.R. 5129 — Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 · Filed by Alma Adams (D-NC) · 4 cosponsors · Introduced Sep 4, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill changes how SNAP (food stamps) benefits are calculated by replacing the current 'thrifty food plan' with a more generous 'low-cost food plan' as the baseline. It also eliminates the cap on shelter expense deductions and removes time limits on certain SNAP eligibility categories. The result is higher monthly SNAP benefits for recipients and broader access to the program.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a straightforward increase in food assistance benefits by switching to a higher food-cost baseline and removing eligibility restrictions. It is a direct expansion of a social safety-net program, not a hidden carve-out or deregulation.
What the text implies
- The shift from thrifty to low-cost food plan may increase SNAP program costs significantly; the bill does not specify funding source or appropriations cap, leaving fiscal impact unclear.
- Elimination of time limits on certain SNAP categories (likely work-able adults without dependents) could permanently expand the eligible population, with long-term budget consequences not quantified in the text.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
SNAP recipients (low-income households); food retailers and grocers (increased SNAP spending)