Puerto Rico would join federal SNAP food aid program
In committeeH.R. 5168Latest action
Sponsor: Pablo José Hernández · Delegate · PR
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Official title: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 5168 would move Puerto Rico from a fixed federal block grant into the full federal SNAP food assistance program over 10 years.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill would bring Puerto Rico into SNAP, the federal food assistance program commonly known as food stamps. Puerto Rico currently runs its own separate nutrition program funded by a fixed federal block grant instead of participating in SNAP directly. Under the bill, Puerto Rico's government would create a transition plan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would approve it, and the full switch would happen 10 years after the bill becomes law.
Who does it affect?
Puerto Rico residents would become eligible for food assistance under the same rules and standards that apply to people in the 50 states and territories like Guam. American Samoa, which currently shares the block grant funding arrangement with Puerto Rico, would continue to receive nutrition assistance funding after Puerto Rico's transition is complete.
Why does it matter?
Puerto Rico would shift from a fixed-funding system to one where benefits are determined by the same nationwide eligibility standards used in the states. The existing block grant program would remain in place during the 10-year transition period.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedSep 8, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Jan 13, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.