Policy Effective: June 10, 2023

Students who are not eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are considered non-household members. See policy 253 and 402-3 to determing how to cound the income of a non-household member.

Students who meet all of the following conditions are not eligible for SNAP benefits. Exceptions to this rule are listed in number 2 below.

The person is age 18 through 49.

The person is physically and mentally fit to work. If not, see 2-i below.

T he person is enrolled at least half-time in a curriculum at an institution of higher learning. An institution of higher learning is one which normally requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. This includes colleges and universities. A student is also considered enrolled in an institution of higher learning if they are attending a business, trade, vocational, or technical school and a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or equivalency test) is required to enroll in the specific course or curriculum.

A student is enrolled as of the first day of the school term. The enrollment continues through normal periods of class attendance, vacation and summer recess. The enrollment stops when the student graduates, is suspended or expelled, drops out, or does not intend to register for the next regular school term. Summer school does not count as a regular school term.

Student Exemptions - Students who would be ineligible may receive SNAP if they meet one of the following exemptions:

The student works and is paid for an average of 20 hours a week, or 80 work hours per month. If self-employed, the student must work an average of 20 hours a week and receive weekly earnings at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours.

The student participates in any State or Federally Financed Work Study Program during the regular school year.

If the student was eligible because of the work study and no work study was available in the summer, the student will be eligible during the summer if he/she participated in work study during the school year.

To qualify for this exemption, a student must actually work at a job for which he receives earnings or tuition credit for the work performed. This exemption does not apply to students who must have on-the-job experience as part of course work for which they earn credit, such as a student teacher.

The student is responsible for the physical care of a dependent child under the age of six. It does not matter if the child is included in the SNAP household. If there is more than one dependent child, one student will be exempt for each dependent under age six. If there is only one child under the age of six the parents must choose who would take this exemption. If a student claims the only child under six as a student exemption, the other parent cannot use the same child as an Employment & Training exemption. This exemption is not limited to parents of the child but applies to all adult students in the household. This exemption is also applicable when a student is responsible for physical care of a dependent child while another adult in the household is employed. There is no requirement for the amount of time the care is provided.

The student is responsible for the physical care of a dependent child from age 6 through 11 who is included in the SNAP household, and it is determined that adequate child care is not available. This judgment is made on a case by case basis. Only one person can claim responsibility for the same dependent child. If there is more than one child, each parent may claim this exemption if each parent is responsible for a separate child.

The student is a single parent enrolled full-time who is responsible for the physical care of a dependent child under age 12 who is included in the SNAP household.

The student receives financial benefits from the Family Employment Program.

The student is placed in school as a component of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the Trade Act or other Department of Workforce Services (DWS) training program, including Vocational Rehabilitation.

The student is a refugee enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) only where a high school diploma or its equivalent to enroll is not required to attend. However, if the ESL course is part of a curriculum which normally requires a high school diploma or its equivalent, the person cannot be exempt under this rule.

The student is disabled or incapacitated. If the student claims he is disabled or incapacitated, and it is evident to the DWS employee, no other verification is required. The situation will be narrated in the case record. A disability or incapacity may be difficult to determine over the phone. Additional verification may be necessary. Any of the verifications below may be used:

The student qualifies as a disabled person under policy 254 .

They receive any kind of temporary or permanent disability payment.

A physician or certified psychologist states the student is not able to work.

If a person is disabled or incapacitated, it does not matter if the person can still work. The disability or incapacity is sufficient to make the person an eligible student.