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Resource | Policy Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”

This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses for the term “Federal public benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide “Federal public benefits” within the scope of PRWORA.

07/10/2025
Resource | Policy Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines (2025-2026)

This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals, free milk, and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits for the period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. 

03/13/2025
Resource | Federal Register Notices Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines (2024-2025)

This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals, free milk, and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits for the period from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. 

02/20/2024
Resource | Policy Memos WIC 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This memo is inform FNS regional offices and state agencies of the release of the 2021-22 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines. The 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines are used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in WIC. 

03/15/2021
Resource | Policy Memos Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – Extension 2

Under this waiver, for all states, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option closed enrolled sites during the COVID-19 public health emergency may determine site eligibility through area eligibility without collecting income eligibility applications.

10/09/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 3

This waiver extends until June 30, 2021, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 2. It applies to state agencies administrating, and local organizations operating, the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option. 

10/09/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents CN - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 3

This waiver extends until June 30, 2021, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 2. It applies to state agencies administrating, and local organizations operating, the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

10/09/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents CN: Extend Area Eligibility Waivers Extension 2

This waiver extends until Dec. 31, 2020, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers. 

08/31/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers through August 31, 2020

FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to extend area eligibility waivers through Aug. 31, 2020 to continue supporting access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

06/10/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Summer Food Service Program Memoranda Rescission

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance for state agencies and program operators on the status of nationwide waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements in the Summer Food Service Program.

10/11/2018
Page updated: October 14, 2021