SNAP - Car Value Bipartisan Bill

• January 17, 2023
• EPFH

Bipartisan Bill Would Modernize the SNAP Vehicle Asset Test

Car values have increased due to inflation, forcing hungry families off SNAP.

TEXAS – With the 88th Texas legislative session underway, Feeding Texas is excited to announce bill sponsors for key legislation focused on the SNAP Vehicle Asset Test.

Sen. César Blanco (D-El Paso) and Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City) have both filed companion bills in the Senate (SB 273) and House (HB 1287) that would index the SNAP Vehicle Asset Test to inflation to better reflect today’s car values.

“No family should lose their ability to put food on the table because of inflation in the car market,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. “We are honored to have bipartisan support for this key hunger-fighting legislation and look forward to working with Senator Blanco and Representative Guillen as they champion this cause in the legislature.”

Eligibility for SNAP is primarily based on income and family size. Texas also chooses to use a Vehicle Asset Test, which places a limit on the value of the vehicles that a household may own and still qualify for the program.

Texas rules cap the maximum value of a vehicle at $15,000 for the first vehicle and $4,650 for any additional vehicle in the household. These limits have not been updated since 2001 for the primary car and 1974 for additional cars.

...continue this article on Feeding Texas website.