Student eligibility for free meals is determined by application or by direct certification. Although direct certification systems vary by State and LEA, all such systems are designed to eliminate the need for paper applications. Effective in SY 2011-12, LEAs must conduct direct certification three times per year: once at or around the start of the school year, and again three and six months after that initial effort. All direct certification systems now match student enrollment lists against SNAP agency records and the records of other assistance agencies whose participants are categorically eligible for free meals. The matching process, whether automated or manual, requires no action by the children’s parents or guardians.
This letter is to follow-up on conversations the USDA Office of General Counsel had with your legal team in 2010, in which we requested that eBay post a notice regarding the illegality of selling SNAP benefits on its website and/or that SNAP benefits be added to its prohibited items list.