Bill would promote SNAP, eliminate asset test

Senators advanced a bill March 3 that would create a plan for Nebraska to share information about the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with potential applicants and current participants.

LB543, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, would require the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop a state outreach plan to inform qualifying persons about the benefits of SNAP.

The bill also would allow the department to work with nonprofit organizations to seek gifts, grants and donations to assist in implementing the outreach plan. The department would be exempt from administering a plan if they could not secure sufficient federal or private funds to cover the costs.

SNAP promotes the health and well-being of low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities, Cook said. Currently, she said, only 64 percent of those who qualify for SNAP are participating in the program.

LB543 would enable Nebraska to leverage existing funding with contributions from nonprofit organizations, she said, which would be an innovative and cost neutral way to assist Nebraska families struggling with hunger.

Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist introduced an amendment, adopted 25-8, that would eliminate the asset test currently required to determine SNAP eligibility.

Nordquist said the problem with the asset test was brought to his attention by a single mother who had saved $5,000 for her son’s college fund and had to spend down those assets in order to qualify for SNAP. The amendment would allow families trying to transition out of poverty to maintain and build up their assets, Nordquist said.

Furthermore, he said, the asset test requires an in-depth screening process that HHS staff must complete. With the state facing a budget shortfall and requiring agencies to do more with less, Nordquist said, streamlining SNAP administration would be helpful.

Sen. Danielle Conrad spoke in support of the Nordquist amendment.

“This is indeed a really positive development because we have an opportunity to help Nebraskans with no fiscal impact to the state,” Conrad said. “We should encourage savings and help those who are strongly trying to lift themselves out of poverty.”

Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley spoke in opposition to the Nordquist amendment.

“If you take the [asset test] away completely, you might be leaving open the door for people to manipulate the system,” Hadley said.

Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield also opposed the amendment, saying people with significant assets should be required to use their resources before qualifying for federal assistance.

The Nordquist amendment was adopted 25-8 and the bill advanced from general file on a 35-2 vote.