Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth is joining Senator Peter Welch of Vermont and colleagues in reintroducing the Student Loan Deduction Act. The bill would let households using SNAP deduct monthly student loan payments from their income when determining eligibility for food assistance.
Duckworth says the measure will help struggling students and families afford basic needs, reversing efforts that have reduced access to benefits. Welch adds that outdated rules ignore the burden of student loan payments, leaving families without enough support.
The bill is co-sponsored by nine senators and backed by national anti-hunger groups.
