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S4286119th CongressWALLET

Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Introduced

Summary

Expand access to nutrition for older adults and adults with disabilities. This bill lengthens benefit certification, creates simpler application paths, pays for home delivery, and boosts funding for farmers markets and related food programs.

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  • Older adults and adults with disabilities gain easier SNAP access and stability. Certification periods extend to 36 months, an Elderly Simplified Application Program and a Combined Application Program reduce paperwork, and delivery is authorized with reimbursements up to $10 per delivery.
  • Farmers markets and local producers get new capital and modernization help. The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is funded at not less than $60 million for FY2027 and the bill creates a $50 million per-year infrastructure program to build and upgrade markets.
  • Targeted outreach and food programs expand to reach hard to serve households. An enrollment pilot is funded at $12.3 million and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program is expanded and authorized an additional $10 million per year through FY2027 to FY2031.

*This bill would increase federal spending by creating new mandatory funding streams and several appropriations and Commodity Credit Corporation supported programs.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Bigger, simpler SNAP benefits

If enacted, SNAP would change how benefits are calculated and lower countable income for many households. The bill would give elderly and disabled members a $155 standard medical deduction for FY2027, indexed to medical CPI in later years. It would replace an "8 percent" factor with "1/3" in the allotment formula and extend standard SNAP certifications from 24 to 36 months. The SNAP definition of "elderly and disabled" would also expand to include certain people who get the listed Medicaid medical assistance.

Bigger, modernized senior market help

If enacted, the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program would get mandatory funding and modernization help. The bill would set minimum funding of $60M in FY2027, $70M in FY2028, and at least $100M each year from FY2029–FY2031. It would add adults with disabilities, set participant benefits between $35 and $80, and set 36‑month certifications. The bill would also fund grants (up to $350,000 each) and authorize $15M per year to help States and Tribes move from paper coupons to electronic transactions.

Simpler SNAP applications for some

If enacted, the bill would let States run two new streamlined SNAP tracks. A Combined Application Program (CAP) would let households made up only of Title II disability or SSI applicants/recipients use a joint simplified application and standardized benefit levels. An Elderly Simplified Application Program (ESAP) would let households made up only of elderly or disabled adults with no earned income use data matching, self-declaration, and 36‑month certifications. The Secretary must set up both programs within 180 days and issue guidance for ESAP.

SNAP grocery delivery with protections

If enacted, SNAP participants who are older adults or disabled and lack transportation would be able to get grocery delivery from covered stores. States must submit delivery plans and, when funds are available and rules are met, may reimburse stores up to $10 per delivery (adjusted for inflation). Delivery workers must be paid at least the higher of the federal or state/local minimum wage and get employer health and safety training. Stores that receive reimbursement cannot charge delivery fees, require minimum purchases for delivery, or use surge pricing.

Grants to boost local market supply

If enacted, the bill would fund farmers' market infrastructure and local procurement. The Secretary would use $50M of Commodity Credit Corporation funds each year for FY2027–FY2031 for market improvements and require a 20% non‑Federal match for grants. The bill would also create a Local Procurement Pilot with $350,000 per year (FY2027–FY2031) and an extra $25,000 for evaluation, with administrative costs capped at 5% per year.

More CSFP help for adults with disabilities

If enacted, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) baseline would extend through 2031 and get an extra $10 million each year for FY2027–FY2031. The bill would add low‑income adults with disabilities as eligible participants with gross income under 185% of the federal poverty line and set CSFP certifications to 36 months.

Grants to sign up seniors for SNAP

If enacted, the bill would create an outreach pilot to enroll older adults, kinship families, and adults with disabilities into SNAP. The pilot would have $12.25 million available until expended, award grants of $50,000–$250,000 per year for up to 5 years, limit administrative costs to 3%, and require an evaluation within 2 years.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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