Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025

This bill would raise SNAP (food stamp) benefits by switching from the “thrifty” food plan to the “low-cost” food plan. It also slightly increases a related adjustment used to set benefits. Together, these changes aim to better reflect real food prices and help families afford groceries . The bill updates benefit rules so older adults and people with disabilities can take either a fixed “standard” medical deduction or their actual medical costs; the standard deduction would be $140 in fiscal year 2025 and then adjust each year with medical inflation . It removes the cap on the “excess shelter” deduction, helping households with high rent or utilities count more of those costs when qualifying for aid .

The bill ends the three‑month time limit on SNAP for certain unemployed adults without dependents, so they won’t lose food help just because of that time rule. It also makes technical updates in related laws and funding formulas, including adding $35 million and tying certain amounts to the new food plan going forward .

• Who is affected | What changes | When
• SNAP households | Benefits based on the “low-cost” food plan instead of the “thrifty” plan; related adjustment raised from 8% to 10% | Beginning in fiscal year 2025 and going forward as updated in the bill
• Older adults and people with disabilities on SNAP | Option to claim a standard medical deduction ($140 in FY2025, then indexed) or actual medical costs | Starts FY2025; indexed each year after that
• Households with high housing costs | Cap on excess shelter deduction is removed | Upon enactment as provided in the bill’s amendments
• Certain unemployed adults without dependents | Time limit for SNAP is eliminated | Upon enactment as the old subsection is struck from law