Section 10104: Restrictions on Internet Expenses

📘 Section 10104: Restrictions on Internet Expenses



🧠 What is this section about?


When people apply for SNAP (food stamps), the government looks at their shelter expenses—things like rent, utilities, and certain bills—to help figure out how much money they should get for food.


This section says:


You can’t include your internet bill as one of those expenses anymore.

✅ In 4th-Grade Language:


If you get help from the government to buy food (SNAP), they look at how much you spend on things like:

  • Rent or mortgage

  • Water and electricity

  • Gas for heating


Before, some people included internet bills to show they had high costs and needed more help.


But this new rule says:


“Internet bills don’t count anymore. Sorry!”

💡 What Is “Excess Shelter Deduction”?


That’s just a fancy name for the rule that says:


“If your shelter bills are really high, we’ll give you more money for food.”


Now, internet bills can’t be part of that total.

🧃 Quick Example:


Imagine the government says:


“We’ll give you more lunch money if your family pays a lot for shelter.”


And you say:


“We pay for rent, electricity, and Wi-Fi.”


Now the government replies:


“You can still count rent and electricity, but not Wi-Fi anymore.”

💬 Why does this matter?


This rule makes it harder for some people to qualify for more food help—especially in homes where internet is expensive (like in rural areas or where kids need it for school).


Supporters say it keeps SNAP focused on true basic needs (like water, heat, and housing). Critics say it’s unfair because internet is essential today, especially for job searching, school, and doctor visits.


SEC. 10104. RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNET EXPENSES.

    Section 5(e)(6) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2014(e)(6)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Restrictions on internet expenses.--Any 
                service fee associated with internet connection shall 
                not be used in computing the excess shelter expense 
                deduction under this paragraph.''.

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