Bill > HR5094

This bill, the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2023, amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow state agencies to hire contractors to perform SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) certification or other SNAP functions, provided the contract does not incentivize delaying eligibility determinations or denying eligible individuals' benefits, and the contractor has no financial interest in SNAP-approved retail stores. State agencies can use this authority during increases in SNAP applications or an inability to process applications in a timely manner due to factors like pandemics, workforce cycles, staffing shortages, or natural disasters. The bill requires the state agency's use of contractors to be consistent with federal personnel principles, part of a blended workforce, and not replace existing merit-based personnel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must publicly post notifications from state agencies about using this authority and submit an annual report to Congress on measures to address SNAP application surges and processing challenges.