Bill > HR5860

This bill, known as the "SNAP BACK Act", aims to ensure continuous funding and access to nutrition assistance programs during potential government funding lapses. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately obligate and make available all funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in fiscal year 2026 and beyond, even if interim or full-year appropriations have not been enacted. The bill prohibits any executive branch officials from withholding or delaying these funds and mandates that state agencies continue to accept, process, and approve applications for eligible individuals. Additionally, the bill requires uninterrupted operation of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems, ensuring that eligible households can access their benefits within five days of fund obligation, and prohibits the creation of enrollment freezes or waiting lists. The legislation also provides for reimbursement to states or federally recognized American Indian Tribes that use emergency funds to cover any federal funding gaps for these nutrition assistance programs, effectively creating a safety net to protect vulnerable populations from interruptions in food support.