SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SEC. 702. [7 U.S.C. 2011 note] SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) Value of Benefits.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on January 1, 2021, and for each subsequent month through September 30, 2021, the value of benefits determined under section 8(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 15 2017(a)) shall be calculated using 115 percent of the June 2020 value of the thrifty food plan (as defined in section 3 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2012)) if the value of the benefits would be greater under that calculation than in the absence of this subsection. (b) Requirements for the Secretary.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall— (1) consider the benefit increases described in subsection (a) to be a “mass change”; (2) require a simple process for States to notify households of the increase in benefits; (3) consider section 16(c)(3)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(3)(A)) to apply to any errors in the implementation of this section without regard to the 120-day limit described in that section; and (4) disregard the additional amount of benefits that a household receives as a result of this section in determining the amount of overissuances under section 13 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2022). (c) Administrative Expenses.— (1) In general.—For the costs of State administrative expenses associated with carrying out this section and administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Secretary shall make available $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. (2) Timing.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make available to States amounts for fiscal year 2021 under paragraph (1). (3) Allocation of funds.—Funds described in paragraph (1) shall be made available as grants to State agencies for fiscal year 2021 as follows: (A) 75 percent of the amounts available for fiscal year 2021 shall be allocated to States based on the share of each State of households that participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as reported to the Department of Agriculture for the most recent 12-month period for which data are available, adjusted by the Secretary (as of the date of the enactment of this Act) for participation in disaster programs under section 5(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(h)); and (B) 25 percent of the amounts available for fiscal year 2021 shall be allocated to States based on the increase in the number of households that participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as reported to the Department of Agriculture over the most recent 12-month period for which data are available, adjusted by the Secretary (as of the date of the enactment of this Act) for participation in disaster programs under section 5(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(h)). (d) Certain Exclusions From Snap Income.—A Federal pandemic unemployment compensation payment made to an individual under section 2104 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136) shall not be regarded as income and shall not be regarded as a resource for the month of receipt and the following 9 months, for the purpose of determining eligibility of such individual or any other individual for benefits or assistance, or the amount of benefits or assistance, under any programs authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). (e) Provisions for Impacted Students.— (1) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 20 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits shall not be limited under section 6(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for an individual who— (A) is enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education; and (B)(i) is eligible to participate in a State or federally financed work study program during the regular school year as determined by the institution of higher education; or (ii) in the current academic year, has an expected family contribution of $0 as determined in accordance with part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 195 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk et. seq.). (2) Sunset.— (A) Initial applications.—The eligibility standards authorized under paragraph (1) shall be in effect for initial applications for the supplemental nutrition assistance program until 30 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted. (B) Recertifications.—The eligibility standards authorized under paragraph (1) shall be in effect until the first recertification of a household beginning no earlier than 30 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted. (3) Guidance.— (A) In general.—Not later than 10 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance to State agencies on the temporary student eligibility requirements established under this subsection. (B) Coordination with the department of education.—The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and institutions of higher education, shall carry out activities to inform applicants for Federal student financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) and students at institutions of higher education of the temporary student eligibility requirements established under this subsection. (f) Report.—Not later than July 31, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that accounts for both the redemption rate and account balances for each month during the period specified in subsection (a). (g) [7 U.S.C. 2012 note] Limitation on Quality Control Waivers.—Section 4603(a)(2) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (Public Law 116-159) is amended by striking “September 30, 2021” and inserting “June 30, 2021”. (h) Funding.—There are hereby appropriated to the Secretary, out of any money not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.