HF3831

Purpose

• Change how Minnesota determines SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligibility by updating income and asset rules. The goal is to adjust who qualifies for SNAP benefits under state law.

Main Provisions

• Income limits

  • The county or tribal agency will determine SNAP eligibility.
  • A SNAP household must show that its net income meets federal SNAP requirements.
  • The household’s gross income must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for its family size.
  • This sets a higher gross-income threshold than traditional SNAP tests to allow more households to qualify, while still checking net income against federal rules.

• Asset limits

  • SNAP households must meet the personal property limitations found in Minnesota law.
  • A vehicle with a trade-in value of $100,000 or more is not excluded from asset counts and must be counted toward the personal property limitations.
  • In effect, high-value vehicles that might have been exempted in the past will now be counted when determining asset eligibility.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Gross income eligibility expanded: Households can qualify if their gross income is up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, rather than a lower threshold.
• Vehicle asset treatment tightened: Vehicles with a trade-in value of $100,000 or more will be included in asset calculations, rather than being excluded.

Administration and Scope

• Applies to SNAP households in Minnesota and references existing sections of state law (e.g., 256.029 and 256P.02) as the basis for determining eligibility and asset limits.
• Implemented through Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 142F.101, with changes specifying how income and assets are evaluated at the county or tribal level.

Potential Implications

• More households may become eligible for SNAP due to the higher gross-income limit, provided net income meets federal rules.
• Households with very valuable vehicles may see reduced eligibility because those vehicles are now counted toward asset limits.
• Administrative process will continue to be handled by counties or tribal agencies under the updated criteria.

Relevant Terms - SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) - SNAP households - income limits - gross income - net income - federal poverty guidelines - 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines - family size - asset limits - personal property limitations - 256P.02 (section reference for asset limits) - vehicle - trade-in value - $100,000 - section 256P.02 subdivision 2 - section 256P.02 subdivision 3 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 142F.101 - 256.029 - county or Tribal agency - Minnesota