CSFP Income Guidelines for 2019

This memorandum transmits the 2019 Income Guidelines (IGs) for state agencies and ITOs in determining the eligibility of individuals applying to participate in CSFP. These guidelines should be used in conjunction with CSFP regulations, at 7 CFR 247. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (PL 113-79, the Farm Bill) amended CSFP’s eligibility requirements to phase out the participation of women, infants, and children (WIC) in the program. Accordingly, the 2019 IGs are only applicable to elderly individuals 60 years of age and older and any remaining children who were certified and enrolled in CSFP as of Feb. 6, 2014.

Program regulations establish separate household income limits for elderly persons and children. To be eligible for the program, elderly persons must have household income at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (Poverty Guidelines) published annually by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in accordance with 7 CFR 247.9(c). Program regulations at 7 CFR 247.9(b)(1) establish that household income limits for children must be at or below 185 percent of the Poverty Guidelines, but not below 100 percent of these guidelines. Part 247.9(b)(1) further requires state agencies and ITOs to consider certain children as income-eligible regardless of actual income, including those individuals who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Medicaid.

The 2019 IGs in the attached tables contain the maximum income limits by household size to be used for eligibility determinations in CSFP. To establish annual income limits of 130 and 185 percent, the Poverty Guidelines are multiplied by 1.30 and 1.85, respectively, and the results are rounded up to the next whole dollar. From these results, weekly and monthly income limits are calculated. The first table contains the income limits for households residing in the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Separate income limits for Alaska and Hawaii are established and published annually by HHS, which are reflected in the second and third tables.

Pursuant to program regulations, CSFP state agencies and ITOs must implement the 2019 IGs immediately upon receipt of this memorandum for elderly participants, and where applicable, implement the IGs for children at the same time the state agency administering the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) implements the adjusted guidelines in WIC. The guidelines for both elderly persons and children remain in effect until notification of the CSFP IGs for 2020.

CSFP regulations at 7 CFR 247.9(e)(1) define “income” as gross income before deductions for such items as income taxes, employees’ social security taxes, insurance premiums, and bonds. Income exclusions are listed in Parts 247.9(e)(2) and (e)(3) and via policy memoranda available online at the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd. States and ITOs may also authorize local agencies to consider the household’s average income during the previous 12 months and current household income to determine which more accurately reflects the household’s status, in accordance with 7 CFR 247.9(e)(4).

State agencies should direct any questions they may have regarding the 2019 IGs to their respective FNS regional offices.

Laura Castro
Director
Food Distribution Division

Attachment

• CSFP Income Guidelines - 2019