Bill · H.R. 6986· House(119-HR-6986)
COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/8/2026
- Last activity
- 5/20/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- Sponsored by
- Gwen Moore
- Cosponsors
- - 7 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "COLAs Don't Count Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It focuses on how income is calculated when determining eligibility and benefits for the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The bill aims to exclude certain increased income from being counted. Specifically, it targets increases from cost-of-living adjustments under the Social Security Act and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974. It also includes income from supplementary payments under section 1616 of the Social Security Act.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5
The bill protects the nutritional assistance of seniors by ensuring Social Security cost-of-living adjustments do not disqualify them from SNAP benefits.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill prevents income increases from cost-of-living adjustments from reducing supplemental nutrition assistance benefits for low-income households.
Would retired people be better off under this?+5
Retirees receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement adjustments will maintain higher levels of food assistance than they otherwise would under current rules.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Exclusion of cost-of-living adjustments: Under Section 2, paragraph (12), increases in income from cost-of-living adjustments under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, section 3(a)(1) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, or section 5312 of title 38 of the United States Code would not be counted toward income for those already eligible or receiving allotments. This could benefit households by preventing their increased income from reducing their food assistance benefits.
-
Inclusion of supplementary payments: Section 2, paragraph (19) proposes adding supplementary payments received under section 1616 of the Social Security Act to the list of excluded income. This would provide a similar benefit for those receiving these specific types of payments.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- 5/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/8/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
William KeatingDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia