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Change in Categorical Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households

Change in Categorical Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households. Karen Franklin, SNS September 2009 Distance Learning. New Commissioner’s Memo FIN-10-021.

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Change in Categorical Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households

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  1. Change in Categorical Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households Karen Franklin, SNS September 2009 Distance Learning

  2. New Commissioner’s MemoFIN-10-021 • ADE/CNU received notice of USDA policy interpretation change regarding SNAP (formerly food stamp) household categorical eligibility • Policy change effective 2009-10 school year

  3. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • Direct Certification • If a student’s name is on the Direct Certification list then not only are they eligible to receive free meal benefits, but also ALL OTHER CHILDREN IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD are eligible to receive free meal benefits

  4. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • Definitions: • Food Stamp Household means any individual or group of individuals which is currently certified to receive assistance as a household under the Food Stamp Program (now called SNAP) • Household means ‘‘family’’ as defined in this section. • Family means “…a group of related or nonrelated individuals, who are not residents of an institution or boarding house, but who are living as one economic unit.”

  5. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • Direct Certification • LEAs MUST EXTEND eligibility for free meals to ALL CHILDREN in the household receiving SNAP/food stamp benefits • If there is no application for reference of all children’s names, the LEA may use school district enrollment records to determine additional children not identified on the Direct Certification list

  6. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • Direct Certification • Do not add names to the Direct Cert list • Document additional members of the family • Statewide Information System (SIS) Coordinator should be able to help in finding those additional students

  7. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • SNAP Household F/R Application If application has a SNAP/food stamp 9 digit case number then ALL STUDENTS on application are eligible for free meal benefits

  8. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • SNAP Household F/R Application Determination is based on case number not on any income information on the application

  9. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • SNAP Household F/R Application No longer need to have boxes checked on application next to each students name

  10. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • SNAP Household F/R Application No longer have dual eligibility applications

  11. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • 30 Day Carryover of last year’s status • Categorical Eligibility must, to the extent feasible, be extended to newly enrolled siblings

  12. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • This change in extension of Categorical Eligibility for SNAP/food stamp households DOES NOT EXTEND to other Categorically Eligible students (Migrant, Homeless, Runaway, Head Start and Even Start student eligibility will not extend to other household members).

  13. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • This SUPERSEDES the policy provided in the 2008 Eligibility Manual for School Meals • The Manual will be revised as soon as USDA releases new language • Online version will be revised • New printed version will be distributed as soon as available

  14. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • We anticipate the 2010-11 Free and Reduced Price Meal Application will be changed to eliminate the “check boxes” (YEAH!!!!!)

  15. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • Determining Officials MUST make sure that all students that can be considered categorically eligible based on this new policy are given free meal benefits • If this causes a change in benefit status (goes from reduced or paid to free) then need to send notice to household

  16. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households • If change is caused by sibling on Direct Cert list, then send Notification of Approval for Free Meals based on Direct Certification letter (allows households to decline meal benefits) • If change is caused by student on application that was not member of SNAP household (box not checked), then send Notice of Approval letter for that student

  17. Categorical Eligibility of SNAP/Food Stamp Households Any questions? Please email questions to: Karen.franklin@arkansas.gov

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