2026 Policy Priorities

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remains the primary tool we use to fight hunger in Kansas. Each month, 188,000 Kansans rely on SNAP for a modest but reliable food budget. Benefits are provided through an EBT card that works like a debit card, giving families dignity and flexibility in their food purchases. SNAP pumps over $402 million dollars into Kansas communities each year. These dollars circulate quickly through grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and local retailers, supporting jobs and keeping rural and urban economies strong.

Recent changes in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or HR1, created new administrative challenges for states. In Kansas, these changes have added complexity to a program that families depend on every single day. The changes would cost Kansas $63 million a year in benefits and comes with an additional $15.5 million in annual administrative costs, the state estimates. The Kansas Legislature has an important role in ensuring that SNAP continues to operate smoothly and reaches every eligible Kansan without unnecessary barriers.

Kansas lawmakers should invest in efficient eligibility systems like Broad Based Categorical Eligibility and the Elderly Simplified Application Project so SNAP remains accurate, accessible, and resilient. Kansas families deserve a clear and consistent path to food assistance, one that reflects the hard work and resilience found in every community. They deserve policies that simplify eligibility reduce errors, lighten administrative workload, and help families stay steadily connected to the support they qualify for.

Broad Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) gives states flexibility in determining SNAP eligibility. It allows families with low incomes to build small savings or take on modest resources without losing help at the grocery store. More than forty states rely on BBCE because it improves accuracy and reduces both administrative and participant errors. The

Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) streamlines SNAP for older adults who face unique barriers in the traditional application process. ESAP shortens paperwork, extends certification periods, and makes it easier for low income seniors to keep the support they need. It is limited to households made up entirely of older adults with no earned income.