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Easier Food Assistance Applications: Phone Consent Allowed

This act simplifies the process for applying for federal food assistance (SNAP). It allows states to accept a recorded verbal agreement over the phone as confirmation of submitting an application, instead of requiring a written signature. This change aims to make accessing benefits easier for those in need.
Key points
You can now apply for food assistance (SNAP) and give your consent over the phone.
States can record your verbal agreement instead of requiring a written signature on the application.
This change takes effect on January 1, 2023.
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Status:
Expired
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Additional Information
SNAP Act of 2021
Print number: HR 5048
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
Process start date: 2021-08-17
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure, with full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source, always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-04-17
Source data: api.congress.gov
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Summary & Status

Key Questions about Easier Food Assistance Applications: Phone Consent Allowed

A structured overview of the legislative process, official sources, status and civic context.

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is HR 5048.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-08-17.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • You can now apply for food assistance (SNAP) and give your consent over the phone.
  • States can record your verbal agreement instead of requiring a written signature on the application.
  • This change takes effect on January 1, 2023.

What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

Analysis and Potential Impact of HR 5048

We don't know, that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge. Review our public AI processing logs for full transparency, and use Lustra to track active legislation for instant status push notifications.

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