7 CFR § 273.5(b)


Students must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible for SNAP.

Age

7 CFR § 273.5(b)(1)


Under age 18 or age 50 or older.


Note:

  • The student is under age 18 until the month following the month they turn 18.
  • The student is age 50 the first day of the month they turn 50.

Caring for a Dependent Child

7 CFR § 273.5(b)(8) and (9) and (10)(i)-(ii)


  • Responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 6;

Note: The exemption is limited to one adult per child if 2 adults are responsible. Allow the exemption to the adult providing the majority of the child’s care. If 2 adults are responsible for the care of the child, allow the exemption to the adult who is the student only if the student provides the majority of the child’s care. 

  • Responsible for the care of a dependent child at least age 6 but under age 12 if the student does not have adequate child care; or
  • Full-time student who is a single parent responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of 12.
    • The single parent and child must be in the same SNAP EDG.
    • Includes an adult with parental control over the child as long as the adult is not residing with a spouse.

Employment

7 CFR § 273.5(b)(5)


  • Paid for working at least an average of 20 hours a week;

Note: Unpaid hours due to holiday or illness are in the 20-hour calculation; or 

  • Self-employed at least 20 hours a week and income after allowable expenses is at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours a week.

Physically or Mentally Unfit for Work

7 CFR § 273.2(f)(1)(xi) & 7 CFR § 273.5(b)(2)


Meets the work registration definition of physically or mentally unfit.

TFA Recipient

7 CFR § 273.5(b)(3)


The student gets benefits from TFA.

Training

7 CFR § 273.5(b)(4) and (7) and (11)(i)-(iv) & 7 CFR § 273.7(b)(1)(viii)


The student is assigned or placed in school through or complying with:

  • a SNAP employment and training (E&T) program;
  • the TANF employment and training program;
  • an on-the-job training program where the employer pays wages to the student for the training;
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); or
  • a program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974, which includes Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA).

Work Study

7 CFR § 273.5(b)(6)(i)-(ii)


Participating in a state or federally funded work study program. The student must:

  • be approved for work study at the time of application;
  • be approved for work study for the school term; and
  • anticipate actually working during that time.


Once allowed, the exemption continues until:

  • the end of the month in which the school term ends;
  • it is reported the student refuses a work study assignment; or
  • there is a break between terms of a full month or longer unless the student participates during the break.