Skip to main content
HR 2778 99th Congress House

Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to modify deductions for medical expenses, to allow a deduction for burial expenses, to provide for categorical elig… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to modify deductions for medical expenses, to allow a deduction for burial expenses, to provide for categorical eligibility for recipients of certain benefits under the Social Security Act, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 15, 1985 See on congress.gov
Agriculture and Food Aid to dependent childrenCemeteries and funeralsDietDisabled
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Federal aid to handicapped servicesFood and Food IndustryFood serviceFood stampsFuneral industryGovernment records, documents, and informationHealthInformation servicesMedical economicsNutrition policyRestaurantsSocial WelfareSupplemental security income program
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 8, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations, and Nutrition.
Jun 17, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Agriculture.
Jun 17, 1985
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action July 8, 1985

Referred to Subcommittee on Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations, and Nutrition.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit elderly or disabled food stamp recipients to use food stamps at restaurants (currently limited to private establishments that contract with the State agency and provide concession-price meals).

Permits recipients who are unable to purchase and prepare their own meals to be considered as a separate household regardless of the income level of the caretaker family.

Allows an elderly or disabled recipient to deduct as a medical expense the excess costs of a physician-advised special diet.

Makes supplemental security income and aid to families with dependent children recipients categorically eligible for food stamps.

Makes the monthly medical expense threshold the lesser of $35 or five percent of gross income (currently $35 a month).

Raises financial resource ceilings from: (1) $1500 to $2250 for nonelderly households; and (2) $3000 to $3500 for elderly households.

Authorizes recipients to maintain separate burial funds of up to $1500.

Requires (50 percent reimbursed) outreach programs for the elderly and disabled.

Provides for food stamp program and application information to be available at Social Security Administration offices.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Oct 15, 1985
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2778: Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2778/
MLA
"H.R. 2778: Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2778/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2778, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2778/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2778: Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2778/)
Report a problem