SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025

This proposal would change how SNAP (food stamps) counts housing costs when deciding your monthly benefit. Right now, most households can only deduct housing costs (like rent, mortgage, electricity, and water) up to a set limit. The bill removes that limit, so families could deduct all allowed housing costs that are more than half of their income after other deductions. This could raise SNAP benefits for people facing high rent and utility bills.

Today, there is a cap on these housing deductions (unless someone in the household is elderly or disabled). For example, in FY2025 the cap is $712 for the 48 states and D.C. The bill ends that cap. The change would start on January 1 after the bill becomes law .

• Who is affected: SNAP applicants and recipients with high housing and utility costs.
• What changes: The cap on the shelter deduction is repealed, allowing full deduction of eligible housing costs above 50% of adjusted income when calculating benefits.
• When: Takes effect on January 1 following enactment.