Urges USDA to revise 20 hour weekly work requirement for student participation in SNAP.

SCR130

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 130

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 23, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANTHONY M. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris and Passaic)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Diegnan

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges USDA to revise 20 hour weekly work requirement
for student participation in SNAP.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A
Concurrent Resolution

urging the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to revise the 20 hour weekly work requirement
required for student participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program.

Whereas,

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a nutritional
assistance initiative administered at the state level by the federal U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA); and

Whereas,

SNAP is the nation's largest domestic food and nutrition assistance program for
low-income Americans.� In order to receive SNAP benefits, a person must qualify
based on their income, expenses, and assets. �A person with a lower income
receives higher benefits up to a specified maximum; and

Whereas,

Although SNAP eligibility rules apply to any eligible person, students
attending an institution of higher education more than half-time, determined by
the institution the student attends, are not eligible for SNAP unless they meet
one or more exemptions; and

Whereas,

Student exemptions include, but are limited to, the following, the student is: under
the age 18 or 50 of age or older; intellectually or developmentally disabled;
working at least 20 hours a week in paid employment; participating in certain
work study or on the job training programs; or unable to access child care
which prevents the student from participating in the workforce or a work study
program; and

Whereas,

College students experience food insecurity in every state of the country. �A
report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that nearly half of
the students who would be eligible for SNAP do not receive the assistance; and

Whereas,

The report also found that there are many barriers students face in accessing
SNAP benefits, including the program�s complicated eligibility criteria, which
leave students unable to figure out if they qualify and prevent them from applying
for benefits; and

Whereas,

Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nearly 40 percent of
students reported being food insecure to some extent.� As a result of the
pandemic, students who were eligible for SNAP lost that eligibility as they
lost their jobs or work hours, preventing them from earn a living wage and to
access food for themselves and their families; and

Whereas,

The federal �Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021,� Pub.L.116-206
temporarily expanded SNAP eligibility for certain students; specifically
exempting students who are eligible to participate in work study during the
regular school year, without the requirement that they actually participate in
work study, and those who have an expected family contribution of zero, as
reported on a student�s Federal Student Aid Form; and

Whereas,

Although the temporary exemptions will be in effect until 30 days after the
federal government lifts the official designation of the nationwide COVID-19
public health emergency, and states have the authority to assist students
enroll in SNAP through other exemptions; a more permanent solution is necessary
to allow students to qualify for SNAP benefits; and

Whereas,

Because SNAP was established pursuant to federal law, and because the program
is subject to compliance with certain minimum federally-established work
requirements and eligibility criteria, the provisions of any State law which approves
the change in, and authorizes a waiver of, existing federal student work
requirements for SNAP benefits would not be permitted under federal statutes or
federal administrative rules; and

Whereas,

It is both fitting and appropriate for this House to urge the USDA to approve
changes to, and the United States Congress to enact legislation that authorizes
state waivers for, the 20 hour weekly student work requirement established by
federal law at 7 CFR 273.5(b)(5) in order to expand the eligibility of students
attending institutions of higher education to participate in SNAP; now,
therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

���� 1.� The Legislature of this
State respectfully urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve changes
to, and the United States Congress to enact legislation that authorizes state
waivers for, the 20 hour weekly student work requirement established by federal
law at 7 CFR 273.5(b)(5) in order to expand the eligibility of students
attending institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program.

���� 2.� Copies of this resolution,
as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the
General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the President and
Vice-President of the United States, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Majority
and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority
Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the
United States Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

���� This concurrent resolution respectfully
urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve changes to, and the United
States Congress to enact legislation that authorizes state waivers for, the 20
hour weekly student work requirement established by federal law at 7 CFR
273.5(b)(5) in order to expand the eligibility of students attending
institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program.