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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FNS 210 HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION

1 Section 210 Change #20-2021 November 1, 2021 FNS 210 HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION Change #20-2021 November 01, 2021

210.01 HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION REQUIREMENT All individuals who eat together must be included in the same Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) unit. At application, recertifications, and reported change in household composition, determine the total number of people who live in a residence, their relationship to each other, and their ages. Ask about the arrangements for purchasing and preparing meals. Based on the household’s arrangements determine if the individuals are: A. Required household members: These members must be included together in the same FNS unit. B. Separate household members: These members may choose to be included in the same FNS unit or may choose to be in a separate FNS unit based on circumstances. C. Excluded household members: These members are not allowed to be included in any FNS unit. 210.02 DEFINITION OF AN FNS UNIT An FNS unit can be any of the following: A. A person living alone; or B. A group of people living together who purchase and prepare meals together regardless of relationship to each other; or C. A person or group of people who state they will purchase and prepare meals separate from the others with whom they live upon receipt of Food and Nutrition Services benefits; or D. In certain situations, a person or group of people living with others but who purchase food and prepare meals separate and apart from those others; or E. A homeless person or group of homeless people who purchase food; or F. Certain residents of group homes, shelters, and institutions. 210.03 REQUIRED HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS The following Individuals must be included in the same FNS unit: