This bill aims to strengthen the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by improving staffing and retention at the state level. It proposes to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to significantly increase the federal cost share for state administrative expenses. A central provision mandates that within one year, state agencies must pay SNAP administrative personnel wages comparable to federal employees , including annual updates and locality adjustments. To facilitate this, the bill establishes a new administrative cost-sharing mechanism where the federal government would cover 100 percent of all approved administrative personnel costs incurred by states for SNAP. These costs include processing, hiring, training, and maintaining staff, as well as ensuring compliance with the new wage standards. States must submit detailed wage plans for approval, and the federal funds received must supplement, not supplant , existing non-federal funding. Furthermore, these funds are intended for existing or additional full-time equivalent positions above the number held in fiscal year 2024, ensuring a maintenance of effort.
This bill aims to strengthen the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by improving staffing and retention at the state level. It proposes to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to significantly increase the federal cost share for state administrative expenses. A central provision mandates that within one year, state agencies must pay SNAP administrative personnel wages comparable to federal employees , including annual updates and locality adjustments. To facilitate this, the bill establishes a new administrative cost-sharing mechanism where the federal government would cover 100 percent of all approved administrative personnel costs incurred by states for SNAP. These costs include processing, hiring, training, and maintaining staff, as well as ensuring compliance with the new wage standards. States must submit detailed wage plans for approval, and the federal funds received must supplement, not supplant , existing non-federal funding. Furthermore, these funds are intended for existing or additional full-time equivalent positions above the number held in fiscal year 2024, ensuring a maintenance of effort.