Bills · S 3603
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3603Agriculture and Food
COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026
INTRO JAN 8· LAST ACTION JAN 8
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
7
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it could directly impact the food security of vulnerable Americans by potentially increasing or preserving their access to SNAP benefits. By excluding certain types of income from the calculation, it aims to ensure that small increases in other benefits, designed to help people keep up with inflation or supplement their income, do not inadvertently reduce essential food assistance.
If this bill becomes law, some individuals and families might find it easier to qualify for SNAP or receive a higher benefit amount, helping them afford groceries. If it doesn't pass, these specific income sources would continue to be counted as they are now, potentially leading to lower SNAP benefits for those struggling with rising costs and economic pressures.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Changes the effective date for excluding cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from SNAP income calculations from July 1st to January 1st.
This adjustment changes how long inflation-based income increases are disregarded for SNAP benefits, potentially allowing recipients to retain higher benefit levels for a different part of the year.
PROVISION 02
Excludes state supplementary payments (SSPs) made to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients from being counted as income for SNAP eligibility.
This direct change prevents state-provided financial assistance from reducing federal food assistance, potentially increasing SNAP benefits for a vulnerable population.
PROVISION 03
The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2027.
This provision establishes a specific date when these new rules for SNAP income calculation would begin, allowing time for implementation.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 7
D· Vermont
YRS IN OFFICE
19
BILLS LED
84
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 6 REP 0 IND 1
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 8
Introduced in Senate
JAN 8
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3603
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 8, 2026
Last actionJan 8, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 8, 2026
Senate BillS 3603Agriculture and Food
COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026
INTRODUCED JAN 8, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 8, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
7
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
