H. R. 728

Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025

Shown here: Introduced in House (2025-01-24)

To amend the Head Start Act to include TANF, SSI, SNAP, WIC, and federal housing assistance as eligible public assistance.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025”.

2. Definition

Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (25) and (26) as paragraphs (26) and (27), respectively, and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (24) the following:

(25) The term “public assistance”, as defined by the Secretary, shall include—
(A) assistance received under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
(B) benefits received under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);
(C) supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits received under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(D) the nutrition assistance program (NAP) under section 19 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2018) and the food distribution program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) under section 4(a) of the Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note);
(E) State-funded food assistance programs, with income eligibility standards identical or substantially identical to those of the supplemental nutrition assistance program under of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(F) assistance received under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1786 et seq.);
(G) assistance received under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f et seq.); and
(H) additional benefits and assistance provided under Federal law as determined by the Secretary.

2. Definition

Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (25) and (26) as paragraphs (26) and (27), respectively, and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (24) the following:

(25) The term “public assistance”, as defined by the Secretary, shall include—

(A) assistance received under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);

(B) benefits received under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.);

(C) supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits received under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);

(D) the nutrition assistance program (NAP) under section 19 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2018) and the food distribution program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) under section 4(a) of the Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note);

(E) State-funded food assistance programs, with income eligibility standards identical or substantially identical to those of the supplemental nutrition assistance program under of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);

(F) assistance received under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1786 et seq.);

(G) assistance received under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f et seq.); and

(H) additional benefits and assistance provided under Federal law as determined by the Secretary.