Changes to SNAP could affect children’s access to free school meals this fall, according to CBS News. An estimated 1.5 million children have already lost SNAP benefits since the federal law was enacted, and experts warn that the impact could extend into schools.
Children in households receiving SNAP are generally automatically eligible for free school meals. When families lose SNAP, that automatic eligibility can disappear, even when children remain eligible based on household income. SNAP changes can also affect whether schools qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows high-poverty schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students without requiring individual applications.
The ripple effects could be substantial. An Urban Institute analysis estimated that approximately 18.3 million students could lose access to free school meals as a result of changes to SNAP eligibility. For families that lose access, the financial impact can also be significant: one recent estimate suggests a family with two school-age children could face an additional $2,200 in food costs over the academic year.