S.B. No. 224
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to simplified certification and recertification
  requirements for certain persons under the supplemental nutrition
  assistance program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 33.015(a), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In administering the supplemental nutrition assistance
  program, the commission shall, except as provided by Subsection (c)
  and Section 33.019, allow a person to comply with initial
  eligibility requirements, including any initial interview, and
  with subsequent periodic eligibility recertification requirements
  by telephone instead of through a personal appearance at commission
  offices if:
               (1)  the person and each member of the person's
  household:
                     (A)  have no earned income; and
                     (B)  are elderly or persons with disabilities; or
               (2)  the person is subject to a hardship, as determined
  by commission rule.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 33.019 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.019.  SIMPLIFIED CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION
  REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN SNAP APPLICANTS AND RECIPIENTS. (a)  The
  commission shall develop and implement simplified certification
  and recertification requirements for supplemental nutrition
  assistance program benefits for an individual who:
               (1)  is 60 years of age or older or is a person with a
  disability, as determined by commission rule;
               (2)  has no earned income; and
               (3)  resides in a household in which every individual
  residing in the household is 60 years of age or older or is a person
  with a disability, as determined by commission rule.
         (b)  The simplified requirements must:
               (1)  allow an individual described by this section to
  waive recertification interview requirements;
               (2)  simplify and reduce the number of verification
  requirements for certifying and recertifying eligibility to
  receive benefits, which must include the use of a shortened
  application form; and
               (3)  allow the individual to remain eligible for
  benefits for 36 months after certification and after each
  recertification.
         (c)  An individual described by this section is required to:
               (1)  submit to the commission a change reporting form
  every 12 months during the 36-month eligibility period; and
               (2)  report to the commission, in accordance with
  federal law, when the individual receives an increase in income.
         (d)  The commission shall, in a manner that complies with
  federal law, use data matching to inform eligible individuals
  described by this section who are receiving Medicaid benefits of
  their eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program
  benefits.
         SECTION 3.  Section 33.019, Human Resources Code, as added
  by this Act, applies only to an application or recertification of
  eligibility of a person for supplemental nutrition assistance
  program benefits submitted on or after January 1, 2022.
         SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 224 passed the Senate on
  April 8, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2021, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 224 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 24, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 117,
  Nays 28, one present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor