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Annuities; Investment income; Earned interest; Net rental income; Regular cash payments from outside household; • Cash withdrawn from savings; and • Any other money regularly available to pay for children’s meals.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.
State education programs administered by a State agency or LEA Eligibility status only Prior notice and consent not required Local education programs No eligibility information, unless parental or guardian consent is obtained Parental or guardian consent Medicaid or CHIP, administered by a State or local agency authorized under titles XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act to identify and enroll eligible children All eligibility information unless parents or guardians elect not to have information disclosed Must give parents and guardians prior notice and an opportunity to decline to have their information disclosed State health programs other than Medicaid or CHIP, administered by a State agency or LEA Eligibility status only Prior consent not required Federal health programs other than Medicaid or CHIP No eligibility information, unless parental or guardian consent is obtained Parental or guardian consent Disclosure Recipient of Information What May Be Disclosed Requirements health programs No eligibility information, unless parental or guardian consent is obtained Parental or guardian consent Comptroller General of the United States for purposes of audit and examination All eligibility information notice and consent not required Federal, State, or local law enforcement officials investigating alleged violations of any of the programs under the NSLA and CNA or investigating violations of any of the programs that are authorized to have access to names and eligibility status All eligibility information Prior notice and consent not required