McIver Introduces SNAP Bill to Lower Costs and Increase Benefits

McIver Introduces SNAP Bill to Lower Costs and Increase Benefits | U.S. House Representative LaMonica McIver Skip to content Close Home About Meet LaMonica Committees And Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request An Appearance Media Press Releases In the News Press Kit Issues Education Environment Healthcare Housing LGBTQ+ Rights Reproductive Justice Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Voting Rights Services Help With A Federal Agency Congressional Art Competition Commendations And Greetings Appropriations Requests Flags Grant Applications Internships Military Academy Nominations Congressional App Challenge Tours And Tickets Resources Close Mobile Site Search SEARCH Congresswoman LaMonica McIver About Meet LaMonica Committees And Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request An Appearance Media Press Releases In the News Press Kit Issues Education Environment Healthcare Housing LGBTQ+ Rights Reproductive Justice Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Voting Rights Services Help With A Federal Agency Congressional Art Competition Commendations And Greetings Appropriations Requests Flags Grant Applications Internships Military Academy Nominations Congressional App Challenge Tours And Tickets Resources Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo Home Media Press Releases February 10, 2025 McIver Introduces SNAP Bill to Lower Costs and Increase Benefits WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) and Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11) introduced the SNAP Benefits Fairness Act in the U.S. House to remove the housing cap on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and allow recipients to claim more of their high housing costs and expenses when applying for SNAP eligibility, to ensure they receive fair benefits that more accurately reflect their take-home income. “The cost of housing is taking up more and more of Americans' paychecks, and SNAP benefits are not keeping up,” said Rep. McIver. “It’s time to bring SNAP up to speed and create opportunities for working families to take advantage of essential programs that reduce poverty and help them make ends meet. By getting rid of the shelter cap, this bill ensures working families who are spending too much on rent get the benefits they deserve and aren’t restricted by high housing costs.” “Lowering costs for working class people starts with strengthening our safety net, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” said Rep. Brown. “There is nothing supplemental about SNAP when it comes to the needs of my constituents – this is an essential program that one-in-five households in my district rely upon. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the SNAP Benefits Fairness Act with Congresswoman McIver to repeal the shelter deduction cap that has wrongly reduced benefits that families need.” This bill would repeal the shelter deduction cap for New Jersey residents and households nationwide. Instead of the $624 cap on housing costs, this bill would allow families to deduct all allowable housing expenses-–including rent or mortgage, electricity, and water costs—that exceed 50% of a household's income, after other deductions, when calculating their net income to determine SNAP benefits. This will increase eligibility for benefits, especially for those living in areas with high housing costs. Full text of the SNAP Benefits Fairness Act can be found here. ### Print Email Share Previous Article Next Article About Contact Media Issues Services