Congressman Dan Goldman Works to Expand Access to Food Assistance Programs for Families with Sick Children

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Policy Only Allows $35 Deduction for Medical Expenses When Calculating Benefits

‘SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act’ Would Remove Limitation, Allow Families with Chronically Sick Children to Receive Increased SNAP Benefits

Read the Bill Here

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) in introducing the ‘SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act’, which would allow families with chronically sick children to deduct their child’s medical expenses above the current $35 threshold when calculating their family’s benefit amount from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The current deduction limitation often leaves families with chronically ill children struggling to pay for basic necessities. This expense deduction would lower a family’s adjusted income level and entitle them to a higher benefit amount, allowing them to more easily afford groceries for their family.

“No child should be going to bed hungry, and no parent should worry about putting food on the table on top of the already devasting financial burdens of having a sick child,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Medical expenses are non-negotiable for families with chronically ill children and providing these vulnerable families with the help they need should be a non-negotiable for Congress. No child in the United States should be going hungry, and most certainly not those who are already battling for their health.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program income calculation is used to determine monthly benefit amounts for individuals or families receiving assistance. Current legislation governing SNAP policy allows families to deduct only $35 of healthcare expenses for chronically ill children per month but allows deductions over that limit for disabled or elderly family members.

The ‘SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act’ allows families to deduct healthcare expenses for children with chronic medical conditions above the current $35 dollar cap, treating these families with the same care as those with disabled or elderly dependents.

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