HF3773

Purpose

• Create a Minnesota-based program, the Minnesota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (MNSNAP), to help adults and children who are at significant risk of hunger after federal SNAP benefits are reduced or ended.
• Address the crisis caused by the reduction or ending of federal food benefits for groups such as veterans, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, new Americans, and working parents who lost jobs.

Main Provisions

• Establishment and scope:
  • MNSNAP is created to provide state-funded food assistance to eligible Minnesotans.
  • It targets people who were, or would have been, eligible for federal SNAP as of June 30, 2025.
• Eligibility and continued benefits:
  • People who meet the eligibility criteria may receive MNSNAP benefits, and once deemed eligible, benefits should continue.
  • The state must determine the best way to continue benefits through a state-funded mechanism and the county process.
• Assessment after enrollment (within 30 days):
  • A face-to-face meeting must be held with the participant by a county/Tribal agency or a state-approved navigator.
  • At the meeting, the assessor must:
  • Determine if the loss of federal SNAP benefits can be explained by factors like age, illness, injury, violence, addiction, disability, homelessness, veteran status, or recent foster care exit.
  • Check if the participant qualifies for an exemption under CFR Title 7 § 273.24.
  • Help the participant obtain a current assessment from a behavioral health or medical professional to identify barriers to meeting CFR 273.24 requirements.
  • Identify resources to help the participant meet CFR 273.24 requirements.
• Alternative if the in-person meeting isn’t completed:
  • If the participant does not attend the face-to-face meeting, at least one home visit must be attempted.
  • If the home visit is unsuccessful, a written notice about MNSNAP must be sent.
• Exiting MNSNAP (conversion to federal SNAP):
  • If the assessment shows eligibility for an exemption under CFR 273.24, the participant must exit MNSNAP and convert to federal SNAP.
  • If the assessment shows the participant can consistently meet CFR 273.24 requirements, they must exit MNSNAP and convert to federal SNAP.
• Moratorium on termination of benefits:
  • Beginning July 1, 2026, the commissioner must enact an emergency moratorium on terminating food assistance for Minnesotans who face new federal SNAP restrictions implemented after July 1, 2025, if there is no current medical, behavioral health, or vocational assessment showing the person can consistently comply with CFR 273.24.
• Funding (appropriation):
  • In fiscal year 2027, an appropriation from the general fund is provided to the Commissioner of Children, Youth and Families for MNSNAP under the authorized statute (142F.121).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new state-funded program (MNSNAP) to bridge gaps when federal SNAP benefits are restricted or ended.
• Establishes a formal, required assessment process (including face-to-face contact, exemption determinations, and coordination with health professionals) to determine eligibility and continuation or conversion to federal SNAP.
• Introduces a moratorium on terminating benefits in response to new federal SNAP restrictions (with specific conditions).
• Allocates a dedicated general-fund appropriation starting in FY 2027 to support MNSNAP operations.

Implementation and Oversight

• Oversight involves the county or Tribal agencies and state-approved navigators conducting the assessments and outreach.
• The program requires coordination to determine the most appropriate mechanism to continue benefits and when to transition to federal SNAP.

Practical Implications

• More Minnesotans who lose federal SNAP benefits may receive state-funded food assistance through MNSNAP.
• The program emphasizes personalized outreach, barrier assessment, and connection to health and social services.
• Some participants may move from MNSNAP to federal SNAP if they qualify for exemptions or can meet federal requirements.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (MNSNAP) - Minnesota SNAP and federal SNAP - CFR Title 7 § 273.24 (exemptions from federal rules) - face-to-face meeting - home visit - eligibility (as of June 30, 2025) - exemption determination - behavioral health assessment - medical assessment - state-funded mechanism - county or Tribal agency - state-approved navigator - conversion to federal SNAP - emergency moratorium / moratorium on termination - new Americans - veterans - homelessness - aging out of foster care - job loss / working parents who lost jobs - 142F.121 (statutory reference) - general fund appropriation (FY 2027)