SF3952

Purpose

This bill amends Minnesota law to change how SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligibility is determined, specifically tightening income and asset rules for SNAP households.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility determination
  • Local county or Tribal agencies must determine SNAP eligibility for each household under the rules connected to section 256.029.
  • Each SNAP household must demonstrate that its net income meets federal SNAP requirements and that its gross income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the same family size.
• Asset limits
  • Each SNAP household must demonstrate that it meets the personal property limitations under section 256P.02.
  • A vehicle with a trade-in value equal to or greater than $100,000 is not excluded from the asset limits and must be counted under the personal property limitations (section 256P.02 subdivision 2).
• Administration and context
  • The program remains administered by the county or Tribal agency, and eligibility is for SNAP benefits as described in section 256.029.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• High-value vehicle counting: Vehicles with a trade-in value of $100,000 or more must be counted toward the household’s asset limits, rather than being excluded from the asset calculation.
• Income threshold clarification: Gross income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for the household size, aligning eligibility with a defined federal standard.
• Integration with existing statute: The changes connect eligibility to sections 256.029 and 256P.02, reinforcing how income and assets determine SNAP eligibility.

Practical Impact

• Households owning very valuable vehicles may experience changes in SNAP eligibility since those vehicles count toward asset limits.
• Other SNAP households must meet the specified net income and gross income requirements and asset limits to qualify.

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