Congressman Jimmy Gomez Introduces Legislation to Fight Hunger on College Campuses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with Congressmen Josh Harder (CA-10) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), introduced the Emergency Ensuring Access to SNAP (EATS) Act to ensure college students would not be rendered ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the basis of their student status during this national emergency.

Research shows that hunger is a significant issue facing college students, especially among low-income and first-generation students. However, under SNAP's rules, the majority of college students are ineligible for this essential assistance. The Emergency EATS Act would ensure that students otherwise eligible for the program could access SNAP for the duration of the public health emergency.

"Enrollment in college should never be a barrier to accessing basic necessities like healthy meals, particularly in the midst of an unprecedented national health crisis," said Congressman Gomez. "Our country's students need all the help they can right now, and those who otherwise qualify for SNAP benefits shouldn't have to make the impossible decision between prioritizing their education and their health. Through the Emergency EATS Act, we can clear the way for college students to access SNAP and help them forge a future worthy of their highest aspirations."

"People pursuing their college degrees are in an untenable situation during the Coronavirus crisis -- they can't work or physically go to school and yet they were completely left out of the stimulus program. We have to make sure our neighbors who are in school but now struggling to get by can put food on the table," said Congressman Harder. "This bill will make sure college students qualify for CalFresh even while enrolled in school -- which should have been done a long time ago."

"As community members on the Central Coast work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including complying with life-saving social distancing and stay-at-home orders, many are struggling to afford food. Although we increased funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, in the CARES Act, certain college students are still not allowed to participate in the program due to limitations in existing law," said Congressman Panetta. "The Emergency Ensuring Access to SNAP (EATS) Act would ensure that, during this unprecedent national pandemic, college students can utilize CalFresh and put food on the table."

"Few people have been more impacted economically by the COVID-19 public health crisis than low-income, first generation college students," said Jessica Bartholow of the Western Center on Law and Poverty. "For these students, SNAP is an essential support that will not only help them prevent hunger, but also help them to achieve their goals of graduating college and exiting poverty for good. The SNAP Student Rule undermines the program's ability to achieve these goals under normal conditions, but especially during periods of high unemployment. We are grateful for the introduction of H.R. 6565 and hopeful that Congress will include provisions to suspend the SNAP student rule in the next COVID bill."

The Emergency EATS Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (Il-04), Darren Soto (FL-09), Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), James McGovern (MA-02), Frederica Wilson (FL--24), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Joseph Kennedy, III (MA-04), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), TJ Cox (CA-21), Steven Cohen (TN-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Adam Smith (WA-09), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47).

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