Bill would promote SNAP, increase asset limit

Senators advanced a bill March 23 that would increase eligibility for the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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 department could work with nonprofit organizations to seek gifts, grants and donations to assist in implementing the plan but would be exempt from administering it if sufficient federal or private funds are not secured.

Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist introduced an amendment that would reinstate an asset test that was removed on general file. Under the amendment, a person qualifying for SNAP could have no more than $25,000 in total cash on hand, funds in personal checking or savings accounts, money market accounts or share accounts.

The amendment was adopted 36-0 and the bill advanced from select file on a 35-2 vote.