Unemployment benefits; • Worker’s compensation; • Supplemental Security Income (SSI); • Regular cash assistance from State or local governments; • Alimony payments; • Public support payments; assistance, Veteran’s benefits; • alimony, Pensions; • pensions and • child support Retirement Social Security (including railroad retirement and black lung • benefits); Private pensions or disability benefits; and • Adoption assistance payments. • Income from trusts or estates; • Annuities; • Investment income; • Earned interest; Any • Net rental income; income • Regular cash payments from outside household; regularly • received Cash withdrawn from savings; and • Any other money regularly available to pay for children’s meals. • Determining Household Reportable Income - Special Situations USDA has identified several situations” LEAs may encounter when determining “special children’s eligibility for free and reduced meals. This section provides guidance for LEAs to use when determining eligibility in special situations. Projected Income for Seasonal Workers Certain workers, such as seasonal workers, experience income fluctuations throughout the year, meaning they earn more money in some months than in other months. For these workers, reporting the previous month’s income may distort the household’s actual financial circumstances. In these situations, the household may project its annual rate of income, and report this amount as its current income. If the prior year’s income provides an accurate reflection of the household’s current annual rate of income, the prior year may be used as a basis for the projected annual rate of income.
Public assistance, alimony, pensions and child support • • • • • • • • Unemployment benefits; Worker’s compensation; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Regular cash assistance from State or local governments; Alimony payments; support payments; Veteran’s benefits; Pensions; • Retirement Social Security (including railroad retirement and black lung benefits); • Private pensions or disability benefits; and • Adoption assistance payments. Any income regularly received • • • • • • Income from trusts or estates; Annuities; Investment income; Earned interest; Net rental income; Regular cash payments from outside household; • Cash withdrawn from savings; and • Any other money regularly available to pay for children’s meals. Determining Household Reportable Income - Special Situations USDA has identified several “special situations” LEAs may encounter when determining children’s eligibility for free and reduced meals. This section provides guidance for LEAs to use when determining eligibility in special situations. Projected Income for Seasonal Workers Certain workers, such as seasonal workers, experience income fluctuations throughout the year, meaning they earn more money in some months than in other months. For these workers, reporting the previous month’s income may distort the household’s actual financial circumstances. In these situations, the household may project its annual rate of income, and report this amount as its current income. If the prior year’s income provides an accurate reflection of the household’s current annual rate of income, the prior year may be used as a basis for the projected annual rate of income.
Step_8__Eligibility_Manual_pgs_103-105.docx