HB 2450
In CommitteeHouse
Food assistance/state prg.
Maintaining food assistance for certain individuals affected by federal eligibility requirements.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill creates a state food assistance program to provide food benefits to certain vulnerable populations—including legal immigrants, foster youth, veterans, seniors, and people disqualified from federal food assistance due to work requirements—who would otherwise go without support due to stricter federal eligibility rules. It ensures they can still access food benefits using the same rules as federal SNAP, except for immigration status and work requirements.
- Creates a state food assistance program for people ineligible for federal food assistance (SNAP) due to immigration status or work requirement disqualifications.
- Expands eligibility to include people who lost federal benefits solely due to work requirements and who are: homeless, age 55 or older, veterans, youth under 24 who aged out of foster care, or adults in households with children under 18.
- Limits benefits for work-requirement-disqualified individuals to the remaining portion of their 36-month work requirement time limit and stops if they regain federal eligibility.
- Exempts eligible individuals from work requirements for the state program if they meet any of the qualifying criteria (e.g., foster youth, veterans, seniors, homeless).
- Allows the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to use the federal SNAP benefit delivery system (e.g., EBT cards or coupons) or issue paper vouchers if needed.
Who is affected
- Legal immigrants and victims of human trafficking — Legal immigrants and victims of human trafficking who are ineligible for federal food assistance solely due to immigration status will continue to receive state food benefits under the same rules as federal SNAP (except immigration rules).
- Able-bodied adults without dependents who lost federal benefits due to work requirements — People who lost federal food assistance only because they didn’t meet federal work requirements—and who also fall into categories like being homeless, a veteran, age 55+, or a youth who aged out of foster care—can receive limited state benefits.
- Youth aging out of foster care — Youth who were in foster care at age 18 or received extended foster care services (up to age 21 in WA) and are now under 24 and ineligible for federal food assistance due to work requirements may qualify for state benefits.
- Seniors (age 55+) — Seniors age 55 and older who are disqualified from federal food assistance solely due to work requirements may receive limited state benefits.
- Veterans — Veterans who are disqualified from federal food assistance solely due to work requirements may receive limited state benefits.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The bill removes immigration status as a barrier to food assistance for legal immigrants and trafficking victims, ensuring equitable access to nutrition regardless of federal eligibility restrictions—directly addressing a major gap in basic human needs for a historically excluded group.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)By expanding eligibility to veterans, seniors (55+), and adults in households with children under 18 who lost SNAP due to work requirements, the bill helps prevent health deterioration from food insecurity—especially critical for seniors managing chronic conditions and children whose development is impacted by hunger.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)(iii)(C), (D), (E)The bill exempts qualifying individuals (e.g., foster youth, veterans, seniors, homeless) from work requirements, acknowledging that these groups often face structural barriers (disability, trauma, age discrimination, lack of transportation) that make work requirements punitive rather than helpful—reducing unnecessary administrative hurdles and stigma.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4), (5)The bill allows DSHS to use the existing federal EBT system or issue paper vouchers, minimizing administrative disruption and enabling rapid rollout—ensuring vulnerable residents can access benefits quickly and efficiently without requiring new infrastructure or complex vendor contracts.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6), (7), (8)By including youth aging out of foster care (under age 24) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, the bill addresses a high-risk transition group—helping prevent housing instability and associated long-term costs (e.g., emergency shelter, criminal justice involvement) that burden public systems.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)(iii)(B)
Potential Concerns (3)
By excluding individuals who are homeless *only if they are also disqualified from SNAP due to work requirements*, the bill may miss some chronically unhoused individuals who face food insecurity but do not meet the narrow categorical trigger—e.g., those who never qualified for SNAP or lost benefits for reasons other than work requirement noncompliance. This creates a gap in coverage for the most vulnerable unhoused populations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)(iii)(A)Benefits for work-requirement-disqualified individuals are capped at the *remaining portion* of their 36-month federal time limit, meaning many will receive only a few months of support before losing eligibility again—reducing program utility and potentially creating cycles of brief, insufficient aid rather than stable food security.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3)The bill requires funding through the biennial budget without specifying a cost, leaving the actual fiscal burden uncertain. If the legislature underfunds the program, benefits may be reduced or delayed, indirectly harming all low-income Washingtonians through reduced program effectiveness.
FinancialRef: Fiscal Impact section (not in bill text)
Who Is Most Affected
Legal immigrants and trafficking victims—especially those with limited English proficiency or trauma histories—will gain reliable access to food without fear of jeopardizing immigration status. This reduces food insecurity and supports integration and health.
Seniors and veterans who are working (or trying to work) but fall through SNAP cracks due to work rules will receive temporary food support—preventing health decline and reducing reliance on emergency services (e.g., ER visits, hospice for malnutrition).
Youth aging out of foster care face extremely high rates of homelessness and food insecurity; this program offers a critical bridge during a high-risk transition, potentially improving long-term outcomes like education and employment stability.
Homeless individuals who lost SNAP due to work requirements gain temporary food access—but the narrow eligibility (must have been *work-requirement* disqualified) may exclude those who never qualified or lost benefits for other reasons, limiting coverage for the most chronically unhoused.
Local food banks and pantries may see reduced demand for emergency food assistance from the targeted groups, but could face increased pressure if program rollout is delayed or underfunded—especially since benefits are time-limited and may not cover full nutritional needs.