HI HB696

Sets minimum SNAP certification periods at 12 months for general households and 24 months minimum for households where all adult members are age 60 or older.

Requires Department of Human Services to participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, including establishing 36-month recertification periods for elderly and disabled households and waiving recertification interviews where allowed by federal law.

Directs DHS to seek necessary federal approvals and waivers and to amend rules, policies, and procedures to implement these SNAP improvements.

Requires DHS to report to the legislature by 20 days before the 2026 and 2027 regular sessions with data on SNAP implementation, program utilization, administrative costs, and participation rate analysis.

Appropriates unspecified general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund differential pay increases for SNAP positions, establish new positions to improve access, and support other initiatives to increase SNAP participation rates.