Shelters for Battered Persons

GENERAL RULE - Residents of Shelters for Battered Persons may be eligible for benefits.

“The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended (“the Act”), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations allow certain flexibilities for victims of domestic violence who are fleeing their abuser. These include:

Section 3(n)(5) of the Act: Conferring separate household status to temporary residents of shelters for battered persons;

Section 3(k) of the Act: Allowing those residents to use their SNAP benefits to purchase food from the shelter; and

7 CFR 273.3(a): Allowing duplicate participation of an individual who is a resident of a shelter for battered persons, and was a member of a household containing the person who had abused him or her.”

(USDA Guidance: Men Who are Residents of Shelters for Battered Women and Children, Dated December 18, 2014)

Food and Nutrition Services, “(FNS) finds that all provisions related to persons fleeing domestic violence shall be interpreted to apply to all victims of domestic violence, regardless of gender or sex.”

(USDA Guidance: Men Who are Residents of Shelters for Battered Women and Children, Dated December 18, 2014)

An eligible resident who has authorized the shelter management to act as authorized representative can use the benefits to purchase meals prepared at the shelter; the shelter management can then act as authorized representative to purchase food with the benefits.