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As kids head back to school, we wanted to share a few important factoids about the National School Lunch Program (NLSP) that may help more families get free and reduced-price school meals. Free/reduced-price meals are available to low income children enrolled in a public, charter, parochial or private school that serve meals and participate in the NSLP. The Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 made some important improvements to the NSLP that will help qualify more children for free and reduced meals.

DTA just released guidance on the process for issuing SNAP replacement benefits due to Hurricane Irene. The guidance identifies the 91 cities and towns for which verification of loss of power or collateral contace of loss is not required.

Due Hurricane Irene, many Massachusetts communities have experienced flooding and/or sustained power outages. Over 500,000 Massachusetts residential consumers were reported still without power early this afternoon - see www.boston.com. We understand that Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) are working hard to assess the scope of damage from the Hurricane. Depending on this determination, it is possible that additional SNAP benefits (Supplemental SNAP and Disaster SNAP) may become available.

1. SNAP Cost of Living INCREASES for October 1st: As folks may recall, SNAP benefits actually declined for many households last April due to the reduction in the standard utility allowance (SUA) based on a decrease in utility/energy costs from two years previous.