Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026

This bill proposes to expand and modify nutrition programs for older adults and individuals with disabilities, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). The legislation would increase the SNAP minimum allotment, streamline application processes, and extend benefit certification periods to 36 months for households where all adults are elderly or disabled. Additionally, the bill would expand eligibility for CSFP and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program to include low-income adults with disabilities and authorize public-private partnerships to provide food delivery services.

This bill primarily affects older adults and adults with disabilities who participate in or are eligible for federal nutrition programs, including SNAP, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The legislation also impacts the Department of Agriculture, state agencies responsible for administering food assistance, and retail food stores and community-based organizations that may form public-private partnerships for food delivery. Additionally, low-income adults with disabilities would see expanded eligibility for programs previously focused on seniors.

• Expansion of SNAP eligibility and benefit levels. The bill increases the minimum SNAP allotment for one- and two-person households and expands the medical expense deduction. It also extends the certification period to 36 months for households where all adult members are elderly or disabled.
• Streamlined SNAP application process. The Department of Agriculture is directed to establish an elderly simplified application program. This allows states to implement a streamlined process for households where all adults are elderly or disabled with no earned income.
• Public-private food delivery partnerships. The bill authorizes partnerships between the USDA, retail food stores, and community organizations to provide free or low-cost food delivery for SNAP participants. These initiatives may utilize private funds to support delivery services.
• Modifications to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The legislation reauthorizes the program with additional funding and expands eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities. It also sets a standard 36-month certification period for benefits.
• Expansion of the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Eligibility is extended to include adults with disabilities, and the bill establishes a 36-month certification period. It also introduces specific minimum and maximum benefit amounts for the program.
• Establishment of nutrition grant programs. The Department of Agriculture is required to establish various grant programs related to the nutrition initiatives outlined in the bill.

The bill modifies and reauthorizes existing federal nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program. It amends current program rules to extend certification periods, expand eligibility criteria for adults with disabilities, and adjust benefit allotment levels.

The bill aims to expand and modify federal nutrition programs to better serve older adults and individuals with disabilities. Its primary objectives include streamlining the application and certification processes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), increasing benefit allotments, and broadening eligibility for food assistance initiatives.