In a unanimous vote on Feb. 18, the state House passed Rep. Teri Hickel’s bill that would modify the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SNAP provides nutritional support benefits to low-income individuals and families in Washington state. Under House Bill 2877, the date range for SNAP benefits to be distributed would be expanded from 10 days to 20 days.

Hickel said the change would better serve SNAP recipients.

“The SNAP program is vitally important to thousands of families in our communities, so I want to make sure it is working as well as it possibly can for them,” said Hickel (R-Federal Way). “By expanding the date range SNAP benefits are distributed, recipients would have access to a wider range of food products – specifically fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. This would also help eliminate the long grocery lines the current model of distribution has created.”

If passed into law, HB 2877 would require the Department of Social and Health Services to expand the benefit distribution date range by Feb. 1, 2017.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.