USDA Withdraws Proposed Rule on Categorical Eligibility in SNAP

2021-06-10

On June 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) withdrew a Proposed Rule on Categorical Eligibility in SNAP. This Proposed Rule, originally published on July 24, 2019, limited states' ability to participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to determine eligibility for SNAP. SNA previously submitted comments regarding this Proposed Rule, specifically outlining concerns that it would result in many children losing access to free school meals and some schools losing access to recently implemented programs under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). SNA was also concerned that school nutrition professionals would be burdened with substantially increased workloads and costs from outreach, paperwork, and processing of applications for impacted families.