S. 4286 — Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026

This section revises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by (1) extending the certification period for households consisting entirely of elderly or disabled members to 36 months (from 24 months); (2) establishing a standard medical expense deduction of $155 for FY2027, adjusted annually thereafter by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Medical Care, or a deduction for actual allowable medical costs (exclusive of special diets) incurred by elderly or disabled household members, with states permitted to adopt a higher standard deduction if cost-neutral to the federal government (replacing the prior excess medical deduction, which applied only to monthly costs exceeding $35); and (3) increasing from 8 percent to 1/3 the percentage threshold in the proviso governing the value of the SNAP allotment.

This section expands the definition of disabled under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to explicitly include individuals receiving Medicaid under specified home- and community-based services waivers (i.e., those described in section 1902(e)(14)(D)(i)(III) of the Social Security Act). It further (1) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish, within 180 days of enactment, the Elderly Simplified Application Program (ESAP)—an optional state program providing a streamlined SNAP application and 36-month certification period using data matching and self-declaration (with verification of questionable factors and fraud protections) for households consisting solely of elderly or disabled adults with no earned income, including no recertification interview unless requested by the household; and (2) directs the Secretary, in coordination with the Social Security Administration Commissioner, to establish within 180 days the Combined Application Program (CAP)—an optional state program offering streamlined SNAP applications, including a standard model with standardized benefit amounts (at minimum, two levels based on low or high shelter expenses, comparable to regular SNAP benefits) and shelter deductions, reduced in-person interviews, and outreach, for households consisting solely of adults who are applicants for or recipients of Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income.

This section establishes an Enrollment and Outreach Pilot Program for Older Adults, Kinship Families, and Adults with Disabilities under which the Secretary of Agriculture awards grants to eligible entities (i.e., state/local government agencies, Indian tribes, nonprofits, community-based organizations, and educational providers) to raise awareness of and assist with enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—which provides food assistance benefits to low-income individuals and families—among older adults (generally age 60+), kinship families (i.e., children raised by grandparents or other relatives/close family friends), and adults with disabilities. Grants range from $50,000 to $250,000 per fiscal year for up to five years, with priority to entities serving or partnering with programs under the Older Americans Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, or USDA nutrition programs, and to projects targeting high food insecurity areas, rural/indigenous/communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, limited English proficient adults, veterans, or subsidized housing residents; eligible activities include application assistance, tailored outreach, transportation support, and scalable enrollment model development. The section appropriates $12.25 million, available until expended, of which no more than $250,000 is for a program evaluation due two years after establishment and no more than 3% (excluding evaluation funds) is for administrative costs.

This section establishes a food delivery program under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides nutrition benefits to low-income households. Specifically, it directs the Department of Agriculture to (1) notify SNAP-participating retail food stores of delivery options (i.e., EBT card swipe on delivery via mobile device or food prepared for pickup); (2) authorize public-private partnerships with SNAP retailers and community organizations to provide free or low-cost delivery using private funds; (3) reimburse covered retail food stores (i.e., SNAP retailers, nonprofit meal delivery services, or providers unable to cover costs) for free grocery delivery to SNAP participants who are older adults or adults with disabilities unable to shop for food or lacking safe transportation, using funds authorized under the provision; and (4) require states to submit plans (approved or denied by the Secretary within 10 days and posted publicly) detailing delivery processes, reimbursement administration, and compliance. Reimbursements, provided by states notwithstanding existing regulations, cover delivery costs (including point-of-sale devices and technical assistance) up to $10 per delivery (adjustable for inflation) if (1) the majority of delivered items are SNAP-eligible (de minimis nonfood items permitted); (2) delivery is by store or contracted employees who receive CDC-based health/safety training and are paid at least the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage; (3) the store meets Small Business Administration size standards for grocery or convenience retailers; and (4) the store imposes no participant charges for reimbursed delivery, minimum purchase thresholds, restrictive delivery windows, or surge pricing. The provision authorizes $500 million for FY2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until expended. (Thus, it expands SNAP access for homebound older adults and individuals with disabilities while imposing labor, safety, and equity safeguards on reimbursed deliveries.)

This section (1) extends authorization and funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)—which provides monthly USDA commodity food packages to eligible low-income individuals—through 2031 (from 2023); (2) appropriates an additional $10 million for each of FY2027 through FY2031; and (3) expands CSFP eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities (as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act) with gross incomes below 185% of the federal poverty line (previously limited to low-income persons aged 60 and older). The section further establishes an income eligibility threshold of below 185% of the federal poverty line for all CSFP participants; revises the certification period to 36 months; and updates commodity distribution provisions to cover the expanded participant groups.

This section revises the senior farmers' market nutrition program (SFMNP), which provides low-income seniors with benefits redeemable for eligible produce at farmers' markets and roadside stands, by (1) authorizing appropriations of $60 million for FY2027, $70 million for FY2028, and $100 million annually for FY2029 through FY2031 to carry out and expand the program; (2) expanding eligibility to include adults with disabilities (as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990); (3) establishing a minimum individual benefit of $35 and a maximum of $80; (4) setting a 36-month certification period for participants; (5) directing the Secretary of Agriculture to revise income eligibility regulations to 200% of the poverty guidelines (or below); and (6) establishing a modernization grant program for state agencies, Tribal organizations, and territories administering the SFMNP. The grant program awards up to $350,000 per grant (with no more than $25,000 for supplies) for electronic transaction technology, planning, training, evaluation, and related costs, and authorizes $15 million annually for FY2027 and thereafter. Grant recipients must submit quarterly performance progress reports to the Secretary and the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service.

This section establishes a program to provide financial assistance (i.e., loans, loan guarantees, and grants) to eligible entities (e.g., agricultural cooperatives, local or Tribal governments, nonprofits) for establishing new farmers' markets, improving existing ones (including payment technologies), and expanding community-supported agriculture to serve older adults and adults with disabilities. Eligible entities must ensure market accessibility via public transportation, paratransit, or services under the Older Americans Act of 1965 and reserve at least 50% of floor area for locally produced products from farmers, ranchers, or aquaculture operators; grants require a 20% non-Federal match (which may include transportation costs, volunteers, or in-kind staffing). Of Commodity Credit Corporation funds, the Secretary of Agriculture must use $50 million annually for FY2027 through FY2031. This section also establishes a pilot program awarding grants to eligible entities (e.g., providers coordinating the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, area agencies on aging, community health centers) to contract with agricultural producers for growing produce via traditional or controlled-environment methods, with priority for underserved communities lacking fresh local food access. The Secretary must evaluate the pilot two years after establishment. Of Commodity Credit Corporation funds, the Secretary must use $350,000 annually for FY2027 through FY2031, with no more than 5% for administrative costs.