Universal Medicaid direct certification

Section 9(b)(15) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(15)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (A)—(A)by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:

(i)

Eligible child

(I)

In general

The term eligible child means a child who—(aa)(AA)is eligible for and receiving medical assistance under the Medicaid program; and(BB)is a member of a family with an income as measured by the Medicaid program that does not exceed, in the case of eligibility for free meals, 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), including any revision required by such section) applicable to a family of the size used for purposes of determining eligibility for the Medicaid program, or, in the case of eligibility for reduced price meals, the applicable family size income level under the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price meals; or(bb)is a member of a household (as that term is defined in section 245.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) with a child described in item (aa).(II)

Other children

The term eligible child includes a child who is eligible for and receiving medical assistance under the Medicaid program under subclause (I) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i))—(aa)on the basis of receiving aid or assistance under the State plan approved under part E of title IV of that Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.);(bb)by reason of section 473(b) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 673(b)); or(cc)under subclause (II) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)).

; and

(B)by adding at the end the following:

(iii)

Without further application

The term without further application has the meaning given the term in paragraph (4)(G).

; and

(2)by striking subparagraphs (B) through (H) and inserting the following:

(B)

Agreement

For the school year beginning on July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, each State shall enter into an agreement described in subparagraph (C) with the 1 or more State agencies conducting eligibility determinations for the Medicaid program.(C)

Procedures

(i)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (D) and paragraph (6), an agreement entered into under subparagraph (B) shall establish procedures under which an eligible child shall be certified as eligible, without further application, for—(I)free or reduced price lunch under this Act; and(II)free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).(ii)

Free meals

Each agreement entered into under subparagraph (B) shall ensure that a child who is simultaneously eligible for reduced price meals under this paragraph or based on an income eligibility determination, and for free meals based on documentation provided under subsection (d)(2), shall be certified for free meals.(D)

Certification

Subject to paragraph (6), and according to an agreement entered into under subparagraph (B), the local educational agency conducting eligibility determinations under that agreement shall certify an eligible child as eligible, without further application, for—(i)free or reduced price lunch under this Act; and(ii)free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).

Direct certification for children receiving Social Security income

(a)

In general

Section 9(b)(5) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(5)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (B), by striking (2)); and inserting (2)));;(2)in subparagraph (D), by striking or at the end;(3)in subparagraph (E)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and(4)by adding at the end the following:

(F)a child who receives supplemental security income payments under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).

(b)

Data from Social Security Administration

Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(16)

Data from social security administration

In the case of direct certification under paragraph (5) or (12)(A) of a child who receives supplemental security income payments under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), the Commissioner of Social Security shall provide a local educational agency with the data necessary to certify the child in accordance with a data-sharing agreement between the Commissioner and the State in which the local educational agency is located.