Section 9(b)(12)(A)(i) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act restricts categorical eligibility for free school meals based on SNAP participation to children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP. Therefore, a child who is a member of a household that is receiving “zero benefits” from SNAP is not categorically eligible for free meals, unless the child is categorically eligible for another reason.
FNS closely reviews state spending on the SNAP Employment and Training Program. Recently, we noticed that an increasing number of state agencies do not spend money on allowable participant reimbursements, such as transportation and dependent care.
This memo clarifies FNS policy on serving zero benefit households through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program employment and training program.
The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.