TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOTE
No. 2006-15
School Business Services
Food and Nutrition Management
Contact: Irene Wimbush
Department of Education
John L. Winn,
ommissioner
C
Policy Memorandum 245.03-23: United States Armed Forces
Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance – Excluded from
Income Consideration
(850) 245-9334
SC 205-9334
DATE:
January
31
, 2006
TO:
Sponsors of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
FROM:
Diane Santoro, Administrator
Food and Nutrition Management
SUBJECT:
Policy Memorandum 245.03-23: United Stat
es Armed Forces Family Supplemental
Subsistence Allowance – Excluded from Income Consideration
This document supports the mission of Florida’s K-20 education system to increase the proficiency of
all students within one seamless, efficient system. Through this and other modes of assistance, the office
of Food and Nutrition Management (FNM) supports the State Board of Education’s goal to deliver
quality, efficient services (Section 1008.31(3), Florida Statutes).
The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, has issued the following
guidance on the exclusion of the United States Armed Forces, Family Subsistence Supplemental
Allowance (FSSA
)
. The guidance states, “Since May 2001, the Department of Defense has paid certain
members of the Armed Forces and their families a Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance
(FSSA). The FSSA is designed to bring a household’s income up to 130% of the Federal poverty line
and decrease the reliance on Food Stamps for affected members and their families. The amount of the
FSSA, based on household size and income, may not exceed $500 per month. Previously, for purposes
of Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) eligibility determination, the FSSA payments were counted as
earned income for households (see Q and A2 on page 37 of the August 2001,
Eligibility Guidance for
School Meals Manual
). However, in Section 602 of the
Ronald W. Reagan National Defense
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2005, Public Law 108-375, Congress specified that in the event that
counting the FSSA as income would put a family over the CNP income limits, the family must be
considered eligible to receive CNP benefits. Public Law 108-375 amends a standing provision that is
not tied specifically to the appropriations process; therefore
,
this amendment is effective until the
provision expires at the end of Fiscal Year 2006.”
DIANE SANTORO, ADMINISTRATOR
FOOD AND NUTRITION MANAGEMENT
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1014 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (800) 504-6609 • www.fldoe.org
Suncom 205-0460 • FAX (850) 245-9263• diane.santoro@fldoe.org
Technical Assistance Note 2006-15
January
31
, 2006
Page 2
The guidance concludes by stating, “Therefore, in accordance with Public Law 108-375, any FSSA
that a household receives must not be treated as income in determining eligibility for free and reduced
price meals under any of the CNPs. This memorandum supersedes the policy for FSSA in the
eligibility guidance for applications taken in Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006.”
If you have questions, please contact Irene Wimbush at (800) 504-6609 or irene.wimbush@fldoe.org.
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