SNAP as Public Assistance for Head Start Eligibility FAQs
Read answers to FAQs about the guidance that adds the receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to Head Start eligibility criteria.
Eligibility
These resources cover how Head Start programs assess the needs of communities and recruit children and families most in need. They also provide insight on which program option best meets the needs of each child and family. Use these resources to develop eligibility services that ensure consistent and appropriate enrollment practices.
For more ERSEA resources, check out recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance.
SNAP Eligibility for Head Start Services
Learn more about how the receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits now qualifies families for Head Start eligibility.
Equity Considerations for ERSEA
Head Start and Early Head Start staff can use this resource to bring an equity lens to discussions about Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) procedures and best practices.
What Access and Equity Mean to ERSEA
Learn what it means for Head Start programs to promote access and equity in Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) activities.
Family Income Guidelines: Military Income
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides information that will assist programs in determining the gross income of those families with members in the armed forces. Family service staff will find this information beneficial in determining the eligibility of children of military families for enrollment in the Head Start program.
Poverty Guidelines and Determining Eligibility for Participation in Head Start Programs
The HHS Poverty Guidelines are used to determine income eligibility for participation in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Program staff may refer to these resources when working with families.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Poverty Guidelines and Poverty
The poverty guidelines, which are issued every year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services, are a simplified version of the federal poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes. Grantees often have questions regarding who is eligible for enrollment in Head Start and other social services programs. These frequently asked questions will assist them in understanding how to use the guidelines to assess eligibility and other questions they may have.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head Start
Head Start offers family support services and the chance for families to participate as full partners in the education of their children. Parents may use this fact sheet to answer questions about the program.