505 Student

Effective Date - January 1, 2008

505 Student

Child Care - See Child Care Section 503

Food Stamps - 7 CFR 273.2, .5, .7 - .11

POWER - See POWER-SASFA, Section 724

Determine if each applicant/recipient meets the eligible student criteria and apply specific criteria for eligible/ineligible students.

A. Require a student age 18 through age 49 who is physically or mentally fit and enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education to meet one of the following criteria to be eligible to receive Food Stamps:

1. Employed and receiving pay for a minimum of 20 hours per week; or

2. Self-employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week and earning at least the federal minimum wage; or

3. Participating in a State or federally financed work study program during the regular school year:

a. The student must be approved for work study at the time of application for food stamps; and

b. The work study must be approved for the school term; and

c. The student must anticipate actually working during that time.

(1) The eligible student status will begin the month in which the school term begins or the month the work study is approved, whichever is later;

(2) The eligible student status will continue until the end of the month the school term ends or it becomes known the student has refused an assignment;

(3) The eligible student status will not continue between terms when there is a break of a full month or longer unless the student is participating in work study during the break.

4. Receiving a POWER/POWER-SASFA or Tribal TANF payment; or

5. Participating in an on-the-job training program under WIA or TAA while the individual is being trained by the employer; or

6. Assigned to an educational program approved through:

a. WIA; or

b. The Food Stamp E&T program; or

c. Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974; or

d. A comparable state or local employment and training program.

7. Caring for a dependent assistance unit member under age six or, if a single parent/caretaker, caring for a child under age 12; or

8. Caring for a dependent in the assistance unit who has reached the age of six but is under the age of 12 and the Benefit Specialist has determined adequate child care is not available to enable the student to attend class and comply with 1, 2, or 3 above.

B. DO NOT apply the student criteria to an individual pursuing only a GED regardless of age;

C. Determine the enrollment status of the student as of the first day of the school term and consider the status as continuing through:

1. Normal periods of class attendance;

2. Vacation and recess unless the student graduates, is suspended or expelled or drops out of school; and

3. Summer break if the student was enrolled in the spring semester and is enrolled for the fall semester.

D. Treat the income and assets of the student as follows (see Sections 806, 901 and 1000):

1. Eligible student:

a. Exempt educational loans, grants and scholarships as a asset for six months when designated for educational purposes only when commingled with other nonexempt funds;

b. Exempt educational loans, grants and scholarships as income when earmarked for educational purposes only;

c. DO NOT exempt educational funds as a asset or income when not earmarked for educational purposes only:

(1) Allow the following deductions (see DFS 111 form):

(a) Tuition, books and mandatory fees;

(b) Supplies and equipment;

(d) Dependent care when AU is responsible for payment;

(e) Additional documented expenses, i.e. transportation to and from school.

(2) Countable educational income is prorated over the period of intended use.

(3) Countable educational income is excluded from assets for the period over which the income has been prorated.

2. Ineligible student (see Section 507).