HB2202 - Relating to eligibility for and benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

  89R3101 MM-D     By: Guillen H.B. No. 2202       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to eligibility for and benefits under the supplemental   nutrition assistance program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Sections 33.0025 and 33.020 to read as follows:           Sec.   33.0025.     SNAP QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW PROCESS. (a) In   accordance with federal law, including 7 U.S.C. Section 2025(c),   the commission shall implement a quality control review process   under which the commission on a monthly basis conducts a review of a   random sample of households which are participating in the   supplemental nutrition assistance program and households for which   participation in the program was denied, suspended, or terminated   to determine whether the selected households are eligible and   receiving the correct allotment of benefits under the program.           (b)     For purposes of conducting the quality control review   process, the commission may access or use appropriate electronic   data sources to verify a household's eligibility for and correct   allotment of benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance   program.           Sec.   33.020.     PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS FOR   SNAP BENEFITS. (a) Except as provided by Section 33.019(b)(3), the   commission by rule shall ensure that an individual whose   eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits   has been initially established or recertified remains eligible to   receive those benefits for a period of 12 months.           (b)     The commission may adjust the eligibility period   described by Subsection (a) as necessary to align an individual's   recertification of eligibility for supplemental nutrition   assistance program benefits with the redetermination of   eligibility of a child residing in the same household for medical   assistance benefits under Chapter 32.           (c)     This section does not apply to an individual receiving   supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits who:                 (1)     at the time the individual's eligibility for   benefits is initially established or recertified, expects a change   in circumstances within six months following the establishment or   recertification of eligibility that will make the individual   ineligible to receive the benefits;                 (2)     is 60 years of age or older or has a disability,   has no earned income, and resides in a household in which every   other individual residing in the household:                       (A)     is 60 years of age or older or has a   disability; and                       (B)  has no earned income; or                 (3)     resides in a household in which at least one   individual:                       (A)     is at least 18 years of age but younger than   54 years of age;                       (B)  has no dependents; and                       (C)  does not have a disability.           (d)     During the 12-month eligibility period prescribed by   this section, the commission shall require that the individual   submit to the commission a periodic report indicating whether the   individual has experienced a change in income, household   composition, or residence. The commission shall require that the   individual submit the report not earlier than the fourth month and   not later than the sixth month after the date the individual's   eligibility was initially established or recertified.           (e)     The commission may automate the processing of periodic   reports required under this section in which no change in   circumstances is reported.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an   initial determination or recertification of eligibility of an   individual for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under   Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the   effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.