(a) Summer EBT eligibility is based on the eligibility standards for the NSLP/SBP, which includes children who are income eligible for free or reduced-price school meals based on the Income Eligibility Guidelines published by the Department by notice in the Federal Register and in accordance with the household size and income standards for free and reduced price school meals, and children who are categorically eligible, as defined in § 292.2.

(b) The Income Eligibility Guidelines are published annually and change on July 1. The guidelines in effect on the date of application must be used to determine eligibility.

Children eligible for Summer EBT include those who, at any time during the period of eligibility, are:

(a) School-aged and categorically eligible.

(b) Enrolled in an NSLP/SBP-participating school, except for special provision schools, and:

(1) Categorically eligible;

(2) Meet the requirements to receive free or reduced price meals at § 292.5(a), as determined through an NSLP/SBP application;

(3) Otherwise are determined eligible to receive a free or reduced price meal; or

(4) Determined eligible through a Summer EBT application, consistent with § 292.13.

(c) Enrolled in a special provision school, and:

(1) Categorically eligible;

(2) Otherwise meet the requirements to receive free or reduced price meals at § 292.5(a), as determined through an NSLP/SBP application; or

(3) Determined eligible through a Summer EBT application, consistent with § 292.13.

(a) Eligibility for Summer EBT, as determined through an application or by streamlined certification, may be established from the first day of the instructional year immediately preceding the summer operational period through the last day of the summer operational period, as defined by the Summer EBT agency in the Plan for Operations and Management (POM).

(b) Households are not required to report changes in circumstances during the instructional year or summer operational period, but a household may voluntarily contact the State or LEA to report any changes in income, household composition, or program participation.

(c) The carryover period in the school meal programs, as required at § 245.6(c)(1) of this chapter, may not be used to confer eligibility for Summer EBT benefits during the summer operational period following the instructional year in which the carryover benefit was provided as it is outside of the period to establish eligibility, as described in paragraph (a) of this section.