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SS/SB 82 - This act establishes, subject to appropriations, a transitional benefits program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Such transitional benefits shall be designed to assist recipients of such programs whose monthly income has exceeded the maximum allowable income for program eligibility or $6,250, adjusted for CPI, whichever is lower, to continue receiving reduced benefits, as described in the act. Recipients of transitional benefits shall comply with all requirements of each program for which they are eligible, including work requirements. Transitional benefits received under this act shall not be included in the lifetime limit for TANF benefits. This act modifies provisions relating to transitional child care benefits by expanding the Hand-Up pilot program statewide for individuals whose incomes exceed the maximum allowable amount for the full child care subsidy benefit. Transitional child care benefits shall be reduced benefits determined on a sliding scale as the recipient's income increases, with the recipient paying the remainder of the fee to the child care provider. Additionally, this act removes the expiration date of the Hand-Up program. Under this act, the Department of Social Services shall limit any initial application for SNAP, TANF, child care assistance, or any medical assistance or health insurance program to a concise, non-duplicative, and easily accessible form on the Department's website. Program participants who are required to complete a periodic eligibility review form may submit such form as an attachment to their Missouri state individual income tax return if the eligibility review form is due at the same time as the tax return. Such eligibility forms shall also be made accessible on the Department of Revenue's website. This provision is substantially similar to HB 1960 (2020) and similar to HB 2048 (2022). This act repeals provisions of law allowing for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses to participate in SNAP only if certain conditions are met. Under this act, individuals convicted of a state or federal felony drug offense shall not be excluded from SNAP for such conviction. Finally, this act makes the unlawful receipt by sale or transfer by sale of public assistance benefits or electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards illegal by modifying existing provisions relating to the offenses of unlawful receipt or unlawful transfer of public assistance benefits or EBT cards. SARAH HASKINS
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