In a little-covered aspect of the Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," 4.5 million people, including 1.5 million children, have lost their food stamps. And as school returns to session, more of them are about to lose their free lunch.
Losing SNAP can result in a child missing out on free school meals, as students in households on food stamps are automatically eligible for free school meals.
Fewer children receiving SNAP can block school districts from qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision, and that's what funds free school lunches for needy kids.
About 18.3 million students across the U.S. could lose access to free school meals, potentially leading to families facing tough choices between buying groceries and other essential needs.
"Losing SNAP can result in a child missing out on free school meals in two ways. First, students in households on food stamps are automatically eligible for free school meals, so dropping off the SNAP rolls ends their eligibility for such nutrition aid, CBS News reported, adding, "Second, fewer children receiving SNAP can also block school districts from qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP. Created under the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the CEP allows high-poverty schools to provide free meals to every student without requiring individual applications."
For instance, the Miami-Dade School District is scaling back its free meal program due to declining SNAP enrollment. After a 30-day grace period, lunches will cost $4.20 per child.
Rollbacks in free school meals could lead to more children losing access to meals in the future, with concerns about the educational impact on kids who lose access to free school meals.
"If families are losing not just SNAP but also that connection to free meals at school, then many of them are going to be facing some really tough choices where they're choosing between buying groceries and paying for other essential needs, like rent or medication or paying a utility bill," Katie Bergh, a SNAP expert at the CBPP, told CBS News.
