Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

This bill would move Puerto Rico from its current nutrition block grant to the regular SNAP program. Puerto Rico must pick a lead agency and send USDA a transition plan within 180 days; USDA will provide training, decide on the plan within another 180 days, explain any denial, and then certify to Congress within 90 days after approval that Puerto Rico qualifies to join SNAP like a state . During the changeover, the existing block grant can continue for up to five years after the bill’s SNAP amendments take effect, or end sooner if USDA says it’s no longer needed. The bill also updates SNAP rules to include Puerto Rico among eligible households, similar to states , and clarifies that after the transition period, the federal government will cover 100% of American Samoa’s nutrition program costs under the law cited in the bill. Congress may provide whatever funds are needed to carry out the transition during this period.

Key points

• Who is affected: Families in Puerto Rico who get food assistance; Puerto Rico’s government; American Samoa’s nutrition program .
• What changes: Puerto Rico plans and transitions into SNAP; block grant continues only during the transition; American Samoa’s program remains fully federally funded after the transition period; funding is authorized as needed to make this work .
• When: The bill takes effect when signed, but its SNAP amendments start 10 years later; the block grant can continue for up to five more years after that effective date, or end earlier if no longer needed; USDA timelines include 180 days to decide on Puerto Rico’s plan and 90 days to certify after approval .