Food Eligibility for Education and Development Act of 2025; FEED Act of 2025
Summary
The Food Eligibility for Education and Development Act of 2025 (FEED Act of 2025) aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It seeks to exclude certain income earned by students under 21 participating in career and technical education programs from being considered when determining their household's eligibility for food assistance benefits.
Specifically, the bill targets income derived from apprenticeships, internships, or work-based learning programs that are part of their career and technical education. The Secretary would establish procedures to verify student enrollment, age, and household relationships.
This proposed change intends to support students pursuing career and technical skills by ensuring their earned income doesn't negatively impact their family's access to essential food assistance.
Expected Effects
The FEED Act of 2025, if enacted, would likely increase the number of low-income students under 21 participating in career and technical education programs who are eligible for food assistance.
This could lead to improved food security for these students and their families. It may also incentivize more students to pursue career and technical education by reducing the financial disincentives associated with earning income while enrolled.
Potential Benefits
- Increased food security for low-income students and their families.
- Incentivizes participation in career and technical education programs.
- Supports workforce development by encouraging students to gain practical skills.
- May reduce reliance on other forms of public assistance in the long term as students gain employment.
- Simplifies the eligibility determination process by excluding certain student income.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Complexity in verifying student eligibility and program requirements.
- Possible unintended consequences if the income exclusion leads to reduced work effort by other household members.
- Risk of fraud or abuse if verification procedures are not robust.
- May create inequities if similar income exclusions are not available for other types of students or programs.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed legislation appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). By aiming to improve food security and educational opportunities for low-income students, the bill can be argued to promote the general welfare.
Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to interstate commerce and to provide for the general welfare, as outlined in Article I, Section 8. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, the specific implementation and enforcement of the bill would need to be carefully monitored to ensure it does not violate any constitutional principles.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).