The bill amends section 68-1017.02 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Nebraska. Key changes include the elimination of certain eligibility provisions and the removal of requirements for evaluations and reports previously mandated. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with maximizing federal funding and outreach efforts to increase participation in SNAP while ensuring that no disincentives to work exist for participants. The bill also establishes a TANF-funded program to increase the gross income eligibility limit for SNAP benefits to 165% of the federal poverty guidelines, while eliminating asset limits for eligibility, except for liquid assets not exceeding $25,000.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the department shall not seek waivers for work requirements unless mandated by federal law, while allowing for exemptions under certain conditions. It also outlines the eligibility criteria for individuals with felony convictions related to controlled substances, allowing some to receive benefits if they participate in or complete a substance abuse treatment program. The original section 68-1017.02 is repealed, consolidating the changes into a more streamlined framework for administering SNAP in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1017.02
Final Reading: 68-1017.02
Slip Law: 68-1017.02