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SNAP FOR STUDENTS!!! Sec. 4002 of the #ECRA allows students enrolled half-time with an #EFC of $0 to qualify for SNAP (if otherwise eligible), affecting approx. 6 million students. This change is HUGE for #RealCollege students facing food insecurity!!!! https://bit.ly/3aiJSpk
Stay tuned for a longer thread about what this means but feel free to drop your questions in here and I will answer them Q&A style later today: 
You can read @hope4college's analysis on the #ECRA here. https://hope4college.com/realcollege-statement-on-the-emergency-coronavirus-relief-act-of-2020/
#Students could be eligible for SNAP if enrolled at least half time AND are eligible for (not placed) in a state or federal work study position or have an #EFC of zero for the academic year. No req. to combine attendance with work...more on SNAP below...
Grab your hot toddy & tuck in for students and #SNAP!! Sure it's a pain in the a$$ but students CAN get SNAP by meeting eligibility requirements. Critical factor: They have to know it exists and they have to apply!
Here is a high-level preview of SNAP eligibility:
1. Income: Must be below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (not just for students) UNLESS a state has raised the income limit through categorical eligibility. States can raise it all the way up to 200%! Check if your state has done so here: https://bit.ly/3r40qqU
1a. Ok, but what the heck is 130% of federal poverty:
For a single person in 2020, their gross income (after SNAP's deductions) cannot exceed $1,382 a month or $16,588 a year. For a three-person family that is $2,353 a month, or $28,200 a year. But wait, there's more..
For a single person in 2020, their gross income (after SNAP's deductions) cannot exceed $1,382 a month or $16,588 a year. For a three-person family that is $2,353 a month, or $28,200 a year. But wait, there's more..
1b. At 200% of FPL the income limit rises to $2,127 a month or $25,520 a year for a single person and $3,600 a month for a three-person family, or $43,440 a year. Check my math here: https://bit.ly/38evED9
1c. Raising the gross income limit matters! It allows people's SNAP benefit to decline slowly as their income rises instead of a total cut-off when they receive a very small increase in income, leaving them worse off than before!!! Great explainer here: https://bit.ly/2LA1tyq
2. Household: People who live together AND purchase and prepares meals together are a SNAP household.
Spouses and most children under age 22 are considered a household, even if they purchase and prepare meals separately.
Spouses and most children under age 22 are considered a household, even if they purchase and prepare meals separately.
2a. If you live with a roommate but you buy and prepare food separately you are considered a separate "household". SN: Students who receive more than half of their daily meals through a campus meal plan are not eligible for SNAP.
3. Citizenship: #Sayingitloudforthepeopleintheback, despite what your uncle says "illegal immigrants' can't get SNAP or other federal benefits (with some exceptions). SNAP has never been available to undocumented non-citizens. That's the whole tweet. https://bit.ly/37q4utR
4. #SNAPstudenteligibility: If you meet all of the above (income, citizenship, and household) qualifications and are a student enrolled in an institution of higher education (as defined by the HEA) you may qualify for #SNAP whether you are enrolled half-time or less as follows;
4a. If you are enrolled less than half-time you are not defined as a "student" by the SNAP program. You would follow the standard eligibility rules and be subject to SNAP's #workrequirement. Yes, your uncle was wrong about people getting a "free ride" off the government too....
4b. #SNAP has a #workrequirement that has been in place since 1985, so I guess it depends on how old your uncle is... But work requirements are harmful to #RealCollege students, especially during a time of widespread unemployment! https://bit.ly/3nvZOrS
4c. Those enrolled at least half time may qualify for a "student exemption" (from the work requirement). They only have to meet ONE of several exemptions to be eligible and states have significant flexibility to expand access to SNAP vai these exemptions! https://bit.ly/37rtlgK
4d. There are two sets of #studentexemptions, those in which states have the flexibility to improve program eligibility and those which they don't. We provide technical assistance to states on these options across higher ed & public benefit programs! https://bit.ly/2LJNNkE
4e. Reminder, a student only has to say yes to one of these exemptions to meet the eligibility criteria. The SNAP #studentexemptions with no state flexibility (in short) include:
4f. Reminder, a student only has to say yes to one of these exemptions to meet the eligibility criteria. The SNAP #studentexemptions with room for states to improve access (in short) include:
4g. The #ECRA states that students who are eligible for state or federal work study, not placed can access SNAP. It also sets a new precedent that allows students with an #EFC of zero to qualify for SNAP. Approx 6 mil students had an EFC of zero in the last academic year!
4h. Last post, I promise...A huge shout out to @ewarren who adopted our recos on the College Student Hunger Act of 2019 that included the #EFC zero provision on SNAP but went much further for #RealCollege students! https://bit.ly/388BvKd
