                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SNAP BENEFITS PROGRAM (§ 63.2-801)

A. The Board is authorized, in accordance with the federal Food Stamp Act, to
implement a SNAP benefits program in which each political subdivision in the
Commonwealth shall participate. Such program shall include participation in the
Restaurant Meals Program and shall be administered in conformity with the Board
regulations.

B. To the extent authorized by federal law and regulations, the Board shall (i)
establish broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP benefits in accordance
with 7 C.F.R. &#xA7; 273.2(j)(2), (ii) set the gross income eligibility standard
for SNAP benefits at 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and (iii)
not impose an asset limit for eligibility for SNAP benefits.

C. Except as otherwise provided in federal law or regulations, the Department
may not require persons who are applying to participate or renewing their
participation in the SNAP benefits program to appear in person as a condition of
participation.

D. The Board shall increase opportunities for self-sufficiency through
postsecondary education by allowing SNAP benefits program participants, to the
greatest extent allowed by federal law and regulations, to satisfy applicable
employment and training requirements through enrollment in an accredited public
institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or
certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for
Virginia. The Board shall (i) identify postsecondary education opportunities in
the Commonwealth that meet the definition of &#8220;employment and training
program&#8221; as set forth in 7 C.F.R. &#xA7; 271.2 and the definition of
&#8220;career and technical education&#8221; as set forth in 20 U.S.C. &#xA7;
2302; (ii) average a SNAP benefits program participant&#8217;s classroom and
study hours on a monthly basis to determine whether the SNAP benefits program
participant has met applicable education hour requirements; (iii) deem a SNAP
benefits program participant who is approved for a federal or state work study
position but who has not yet been placed in a work study position to have
satisfied applicable employment and training requirements, as permitted under
federal law; (iv) create a standardized form and process for SNAP benefits
program participants to verify compliance with education requirements; (v) allow
accredited public institutions of higher education or other postsecondary
schools licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of
Higher Education for Virginia to apply for SNAP ET third party reimbursement
designation through the established procurement process; and (vi) establish and
make available to SNAP benefits program participants materials that provide
clear guidance regarding satisfaction of employment and training requirements
through postsecondary education.

E. The Department shall develop, annually update, and provide to each school
board in advance of the start of each school year an information sheet on the
SNAP benefits program that sets forth the application process and such other
information as the Department deems necessary or appropriate in order to
properly inform the parents of students enrolled in public elementary and
secondary schools of such program and encourage application by those who are
eligible.

F. The Department shall develop, annually update, and provide to each public
institution of higher education in advance of the start of each school year an
information sheet on the SNAP benefits program that sets forth the application
process, includes guidance on the employment and training requirements that
students enrolled in public institutions of higher education are required to
satisfy in order to receive SNAP benefits and opportunities for self-sufficiency
through post-secondary education available pursuant to subsection D, and
includes any other information as the Department deems necessary or appropriate
in order to properly inform students in public institutions of higher education
of such program and encourage application by those who are eligible.

HISTORY: 1974, c. 504, § 63.1-25.2; 1975, c. 311; 1981, c. 21; 2002, c. 747;
2020, c. 843; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 160; 2023, c. 350; 2024, c. 435; 2025, c.
426.