AN ACT PROVIDING FOOD SECURITY FOR VETERANS, TRANSITIONAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER PERSONS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL PROGRAM CUTS, A FOOD AS MEDICINE WAIVER PROGRAM, MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDER RATE INCREASES AND ALIGNING NUTRITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

This bill creates a new state-funded program to help veterans and other vulnerable individuals maintain food assistance benefits despite recent federal changes to work requirements. It establishes a $40 million state account to fund transitional benefits of up to $194 per month for 12 months, along with job training and case management services for those at risk of losing benefits. The legislation also requires the Department of Social Services to implement staggered benefit distributions to reduce processing delays and mandates that veterans receive the same benefit levels they had before federal work requirements were introduced. Additionally, the bill authorizes the commissioner to seek federal waivers for individuals in high-unemployment areas and standardizes utility allowance calculations for SNAP recipients.