COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026

This legislative proposal aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, specifically targeting how income is assessed for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Its core purpose is to prevent certain income increases from negatively affecting a household's SNAP eligibility or benefit levels, thereby protecting recipients from benefit reductions or loss of assistance. The bill mandates the exclusion of increased income derived from cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) made under Social Security (Titles II and XVI) , the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 , and specific veterans' benefits (38 U.S.C. 5312). This exclusion for COLAs applies for a temporary period, specifically through September 30 of any fiscal year for adjustments made on or after January 1st of that year, provided the household was already certified for SNAP. Additionally, the bill excludes supplementary payments received under Section 1616 of the Social Security Act from income calculations, with all provisions scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2027.