Attached are questions and answers from Nov. 20, 2009, Dec. 15, 2009 and Jan. 26, 2010 on the implementation of categorical eligibility and the reporting requirements for categorically eligible households. These questions are in response to inquiries from the states.
We would like to highlight the potential of expanded categorical eligibility to enhance SNAP operations and accessibility.
This policy memorandum provides guidance for WIC state and local agencies in determining income eligibility for state and federal employees in instances where such employees experience a temporary decrease in earning due to being furloughed or having their pay deferred because of a state budget impasse or the temporary shutdown of the agency were they are employed, without pay.
This memorandum modifies the policy related to categorical eligibility for free meals or free milk for children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program.
As described in our Reauthorization Implementation Memo SP 4, Categorical Eligibility for Free Lunches and Breakfasts of Runaway, Homeless, and Migrant Youth, runaway youth served through grant programs established under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act are now categorically eligible for free meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
The categories of noncitizens eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 have been expanded to include the minor children, spouses and in some cases the parents and siblings of victims of severe trafficking.
This memorandum supplements our Reauthorization Implementation Memo SP 4 by providing additional information on identifying migrant children and on the procedures that school food authorities and local education agencies should use to coordinate with the Migrant Education Program in order to document the categorical eligibility of migrant children for free meals.
Section 107 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make runaway, homeless and migrant children categorically eligible for free meal benefits under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and is effective July 1, 2004.