7 CFR Appendix A to 7 CFR Part 15c
Age Distinctions in Federal Statutes or Regulations Affecting Financial Assistance Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture
July 6, 2020
CFR
Open Table
Program Statute Section and age distinction Regulation
Farm Service Agency
Farm Loan Programs 7 U.S.C. 1941 Persons Eligible For Loans Section 761.2 defines “rural youth” as meaning a person who has reached the age of 10 but has not reached the age of 21 and resides in a rural area or any city or town with a population of 50,000 or fewer people 7 CFR part 761.
Food and Nutrition Service
Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program 7 U.S.C. 3007 Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Section 249.2 defines “senior” as meaning an individual 60 years of age or older, or as defined in §249.6(a)(1)
Section 249.6(a)(1) establishes categorical eligibility for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. The categorical eligibility states that: “participants must be not less than 60 years of age, except that State agencies may exercise the option to deem Native Americans who are 55 years of age or older as categorically eligible for SFMNP benefits. State agencies may, at their discretion, also deem disabled individuals less than 60 years of age who are currently living in housing facilities occupied primarily by older individuals where congregate nutrition services are provided, as categorically eligible to receive SFMNP benefits”
7 CFR part 249.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 42 U.S.C. 1786 Section 246.2 defines “children” as meaning persons who have had their first birthday but have not yet attained their fifth birthday
Section 246.2 defines “infants” as meaning persons under 1 year of age
        Section 246.10(e) establishes category and nutritional needs of the participant for each of the seven food packages available under the program. Food Packages I, II, and IV contain age distinctions. (e)(1) Food Package I—Infants birth through 5 months—(i) Participant category served. This food package is designed for issuance to infant participants from birth through age 5 months who do not have a condition qualifying them to receive Food Package III. (ii) Infant feeding categories—(A) Birth to one month. Three infant feeding options are available during the first month after birth(B) .  .  . One through 5 months. Three infant feeding options are available from 1 month through 5 months .  .  . (2) Food Package II—Infants 6 through 11 months—(i) Participant category served. This food package is designed for issuance to infant participants from 6 through 11 months of age .  .  . (4) Food Package IV—Children 1 through 4 years—(i) Participant category served. This food package is designed for issuance to participants 1 through 4 years of age 7 CFR part 246.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program Sec. 5, Pub. L. 93-86, 87 Stat. 249, as added by Sec. 1304(b)(2), Pub. L. 95-113, 91 Stat. 980 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec. 1335, Pub. L. 97-98, 95 Stat. 1293 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec. 209, Pub. L. 98-8, 97 Stat. 35 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec. 2(8), Pub. L. 98-92, 97 Stat. 611 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec. 1562, Pub. L. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1590 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec. 101(k), Pub. L. 100-202; sec. 1771(a), Pub. L. 101-624, 101 Stat. 3806 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec 402(a), Pub. L. 104-127, 110 Stat. 1028 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); sec. 4201, Pub. L. 107-171, 116 Stat. 134 (7 U.S.C. 7901 note); sec. 4221, Pub. L. 110-246, 122 Stat. 1886 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) Section 247.1 defines “children” as meaning persons who are at least 1 year of age but have not reached their sixth birthday
Section 247.1 defines “elderly persons” as meaning persons at least 60 years of age
Section 247.1 defines “infants” as meaning persons under 1 year of age
7 CFR part 247.
Food Stamp and Food Distribution Program 7 U.S.C. 2011-2036 Section 271.2 defines “elderly or disabled member” as meaning a member of a household who: (1) Is 60 years of age or older 7 CFR part 271
    Section 271.2 defines “Thrifty food plan” as meaning the diet required to feed a family of four persons consisting of a man and a woman 20 through 50, a child 6 through 8, and a child 9 through 11 years of age, determined in accordance with the Secretary's calculations 7 CFR part 273
    Section 273.1 defined “Elderly and disabled persons” as meaning an otherwise eligible member of a household who is 60 years of age or older and is unable to purchase and prepare meals because he or she suffers from a disability considered permanent under the Social Security Act or a non-disease-related, severe, permanent disability may be considered
    Section 273.1(b) outlines special household requirements. (b) Special household requirements—(1) Required household combinations. The following individuals who live with others must be considered as customarily purchasing food and preparing meals with the others, even if they do not do so, and thus must be included in the same household, unless otherwise specified.(i) Spouses; (ii) A person under 22 years of age who is living with his or her natural or adoptive parent(s) or step-parent(s); and (iii) A child (other than a foster child) under 18 years of age who lives with and is under the parental control of a household member other than his or her parent. A child must be considered to be under parental control for purposes of this provision if he or she is financially or otherwise dependent on a member of the household, unless State law defines such a person as an adult
    Section 273.1(d) outlines head of household requirements. When designating the head of household, the State agency shall allow the household to select an adult parent of children (of any age) living in the household, or an adult who has parental control over children (under 18 years of age) living in the household, as the head of household provided that all adult household members agree to the selection
    Section 273.4(a)(4)(iii) outlines household members meeting citizenship or alien status requirements. An unmarried dependent child of such Hmong or Highland Laotian who is under the age of 18 or if a full-time student under the age of 22; an unmarried child under the age of 18 or if a full time student under the age of 22 of such a deceased Hmong or Highland Laotian provided the child was dependent upon him or her at the time of his or her death; or an unmarried disabled child age 18 or older if the child was disabled and dependent on the person prior to the child's 18th birthday. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(4)(iii), child means the legally adopted or biological child of the person described in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section,
    Section 273.4(a)(5)(ii) outlines household members meeting citizenship or alien status requirements which includes an alien who has been subjected to a severe form of trafficking in persons and who is under the age of 18, to the same extent as an alien who is admitted to the United States as a refugee under Section 207 of the INA;
    Section 273.4(a)(5)(iii) outlines household members meeting citizenship or alien status requirements which includes the spouse, child, parent or unmarried minor sibling of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons under 21 years of age, and who has received a derivative T visa, to the same extent as an alien who is admitted to the United States as a refugee under Section 207 of the INA
    Section 273.4(a)(5)(iv) outlines household members meeting citizenship or alien status requirements which includes the spouse or child of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons 21 years of age or older, and who has received a derivative T visa, to the same extent as an alien who is admitted to the United States as a refugee under Section 207 of the INA
    Section 273.4(a)(6)(ii)(A) outlines the criteria for a qualified alien which includes an alien age 18 or older lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the INA who has 40 qualifying quarters as determined under Title II of the SSA, including qualifying quarters of work not covered by Title II of the SSA, based on the sum of: quarters the alien worked; quarters credited from the work of a parent of the alien before the alien became 18 (including quarters worked before the alien was born or adopted); and quarters credited from the work of a spouse of the alien during their marriage if they are still married or the spouse is deceased
    Section 273.4(a)(6)(ii)(G)(3) outlines the criteria for a qualified alien with military connections which includes the spouse and unmarried dependent children of a person described in paragraph (a)(6)(ii)(G)(1) or (2) of this section, including the spouse of a deceased veteran, provided the marriage fulfilled the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 1304, and the spouse has not remarried. An unmarried dependent child for purposes of this paragraph (a)(6)(ii)(G)(3) is: a child who is under the age of 18 or, if a full-time student, under the age of 22; such unmarried dependent child of a deceased veteran provided such child was dependent upon the veteran at the time of the veteran's death; or an unmarried disabled child age 18 or older if the child was disabled and dependent on the veteran prior to the child's 18th birthday. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(6)(ii)(G)(3), child means the legally adopted or biological child of the person described in paragraph (a)(6)(ii)(G)(1) or (2) of this section
    Section 273.4(a)(6)(ii)(I) outlines the criteria for a qualified alien which includes an individual who on August 22, 1996, was lawfully residing in the U.S., and was born on or before August 22, 1931
    Section 273.4(a)(6)(ii)(J) outlines the criteria for a qualified alien which includes an individual who is under 18 years of age
    Section 273.4(a)(6)(iii)(A) outlines qualified aliens that must be in a qualified status for 5 years before being eligible to receive food stamps which includes an alien age 18 or older lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the INA
    Section 273.4(c)(3)(vi) outlines exempt aliens which includes a sponsored alien child under 18 years of age of a sponsored alien
    Section 273.4(c)(3)(vii) ) outlines exempt aliens which includes a citizen child under age 18 of a sponsored alien
    Section 273.5 (b)(1) outlines criteria for student eligibility for the program which includes be age 17 or younger or age 50 or older
    Section 273.5(b)(8) outlines criteria for student eligibility for the program which includes a person who is responsible for the care of a dependent household member under the age of 6
    Section 273.5(b)(9) outlines criteria for student eligibility for the program which includes a person who is responsible for the care of a dependent household member who has reached the age of 6 but is under age 12
    Section 273.5(b)(10) outlines criteria for student eligibility for the program which includes a single parent enrolled in an institution of higher education on a full-time basis (as determined by the institution) and be responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 12
    Section 273.5(b)(4) states that if the household is unable to provide an SSN or proof of application for an SSN at its next recertification within 6 months following the baby's birth, the State agency shall determine if the good cause provisions of paragraph (d) of this section are applicable
    Section 273.7(b)(1)(i) outlines exemptions from work requirements which includes a person younger than 16 years of age or a person 60 years of age or older and a person age 16 or 17 who is not the head of a household or who is attending school, or is enrolled in an employment training program, on at least a half-time basis, is also exempt. If the person turns 16 (or 18 under the preceding sentence) during a certification period, the State agency must register the person as part of the next scheduled recertification process, unless the person qualifies for another exemption
    Section 273.9(b)(1)(v) defines income which includes the phrase this provision does not apply to household members under 19 years of age who are under the parental control of another adult member, regardless of school attendance and/or enrollment
    Section 273.9(d)(4) outlines income deduction which include dependent care stating the maximum monthly dependent care deduction amount households shall be granted under this provision is $200 a month for each dependent child under two (2) years of age and $175 a month for each other dependent
    Section 273.10(e)(2)(i)(A) outlines eligibility benefits states households which contain an elderly or disabled member as defined in §271.2
    Section 273.10(e)(2)(i)(B) outlines eligibility benefits which states in addition to meeting the net income eligibility standards, households which do not contain an elderly or disabled member shall have their gross income, as calculated in accordance with paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this section, compared to the gross monthly income standards defined in §273.9(a)(1)
    Section 273.10(e)(2)(i)(D) outlines eligibility benefits which states if a household contains a member who is 59 years old on the date of application, but who will become 60 before the end of the month of application, the State agency shall determine the household's eligibility in accordance with paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) of this section
    Section 273.24(c)(1) outlines exceptions for when the time limit does not apply to an individual which include a person under 18 or 50 years of age or older
Section 273.24(c)(3) outlines exceptions for when the time limit does not apply to an individual which include a parent (natural, adoptive, or step) of a household member under age 18, even if the household member who is under 18 is not himself eligible for food stamps
Section 273.24(c)(4) outlines exceptions for when the time limit does not apply to an individual which include a person residing in a household where a household member is under age 18, even if the household member who is under 18 is not himself eligible for food stamps
National School Lunch Program 42 U.S.C. 1751-1760, 1779 Section 210.2 defines “Child” as meaning a (a) a student of high school grade or under as determined by the State educational agency, who is enrolled in an educational unit of high school grade or under as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of “School,” including students who are mentally or physically disabled as defined by the State and who are participating in a school program established for the mentally or physically disabled; or (b) a person under 21 chronological years of age who is enrolled in an institution or center as described in paragraph (c) of the definition of “School;” or (c) For purposes of reimbursement for meal supplements served in afterschool care programs, an individual enrolled in an afterschool care program operated by an eligible school who is 12 years of age or under, or in the case of children of migrant workers and children with disabilities, not more than 15 years of age
Section 12(d) defines “Child” as meaning an individual, regardless of age, who—(i) is determined by a State educational agency, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to have one or more disabilities; and (ii) is attending any institution, as defined in section 17(a), or a nonresidential public or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, for the purpose of participating in a school program established for individuals with disabilities
7 CFR part 210.
School Breakfast Program 42 U.S.C. 1773, 1779 Section 220.2 defines “Child” as meaning a (1) A student of high school grade or under as determined by the State educational agency, who is enrolled in an educational unit of high school grade or under as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the definition of “School”, including students who are mentally or physically disabled as defined by the State and who are participating in a school program established for the mentally or physically disabled; or (2) a person under 21 chronological years of age who is enrolled in an institution or center as described in paragraph (3) of the definition of School in this section 7 CFR part 220.
Child and Adult Care Food Program 42 U.S.C. 1766 Section 1766 outlines that reimbursement may be provided under this section only for supplements served to school children who are not more than 18 years of age, except that the age limitation provided by this subsection shall not apply to a child 7 CFR part 226.
    Section 1766(a)(3) and 7 CFR 226.2 outlines that reimbursement are permitted for meals served to children through the age of 12, children of migrant workers through the age of 15, and persons with disabilities, in child care centers and day care homes
    Section 1766(o)(1) and 7 CFR 226.2 outlines that adult day care centers receive reimbursement for meals served to enrolled adults who are functionally impaired or age 60 and older
    Section 1766(t)(5); and 7 CFR 226.2 outlines that reimbursement are permitted for emergency shelters for up to three meals served each day to residents age 18 and younger
    Section 1766(r) and 7 CFR 226.17a(c) outlines that reimbursement are permitted in at-risk afterschool care programs for meals served during the regular school year to children through the age of 18
Summer Food Service Program 42 U.S.C. 1761 Section 1761(a)(1)(B) and 7 CFR 225.2 outlines that Children age 18 and under may receive meals through SFSP. A person 19 years of age and over who has a mental or physical disability (as determined by a State of local educational agency) and who participates during the school year in a public or private non-profit school program (established for the mentally or physically disabled) is also eligible to receive meals. In certain circumstances, pregnant women who receive Early Head Start services are also eligible to receive meals through SFSP if they are age 18 or under. To establish eligibility, prospective mothers must be enrolled in Early Head Start and be eligible to receive school meals through the NSLP or another child nutrition program 7 CFR part 225.
Forest Service
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass 16 U.S.C. 6808h Section 6808h(b)(1) AGE DISCOUNT.—The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, at a cost of $10.00, to any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who is 62 years of age or older, if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of such age and such citizenship or residency None.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) 16 U.S.C. 3851 Section 1252 authorizes and directs the Secretary to “establish a conservation experienced services program (in this section referred to as the “ACES Program”) for the purpose of utilizing the talents of individuals who are age 55 or older, but who are not employees of the Department of Agriculture or a State agriculture department, to provide technical services in support of the conservation-related programs and authorities carried out by the Secretary.” None.
Rural Development
Section 504 Origination Loans and Grants 42 U.S.C. 1474 Section 504 loans and grants are intended to help very low-income owner-occupants in rural areas repair their properties. Section 3550.103 provides that “to be eligible for grant assistance, an application must be 62 years of age or older at the time of the application.” 7 CFR 3550.101 et seq.
Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Loans Program Section 521 Rental Assistance Program 42 U.S.C. 1490a Under the Direct Multi-Family Housing Loan and Grants, Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program supplies apartments for elderly and disabled people that are equipped with special amenities. USDA provides assistance through the separately appropriated Section 521 Rental Assistance Program, which brings tenants' rent down to 30 percent of their adjusted incomes. Section 3560 defines “elderly person” as “a person who is at least 62 years old.” 7 CFR part 3560.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program 7 U.S.C. 3152(j) Section 1417(j) directs the Secretary to “promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, 2-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences in order to promote excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences.” The Act further empowers the Secretary to make competitive or noncompetitive grants to public secondary schools, institutions of higher education that award an associate's degree, other institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations [to] .  .  . (C) to interest young people in pursuing higher education in order to prepare for scientific and professional careers in the food and agricultural sciences; . . . and (G) to support current agriculture in the classroom programs for grades K-12 None.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions—Competitive Grants Program for Hispanic Agricultural Workers and Youth 7 U.S.C. 3243, as amended Section 1456(e)(1), as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014, states that the “Secretary shall establish a competitive grants program . . . (B) to award competitive grants to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities to provide for training in the food and agricultural sciences of Hispanic agricultural workers and Hispanic youth working in the food and agricultural sciences 7 CFR part 3434.
Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the National 4-H Council, and the National FFA Organization 7 U.S.C. 7630, as amended Section 410(d). Grants for Youth Organizations of the Agricultural, Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998, directs the Secretary to make grants available to the designated youth organizations for the organizations' establishment of pilot projects to expand their programs in rural areas and small towns. Eligibility is limited to the four statutorily-identified youth organizations None.
Youth Farm Safety and Education Certification (YFSEC) 7 U.S.C. 341, et seq.; 7 U.S.C. 343(d) The primary purpose of program is to develop a coordinated approach to agricultural safety and health education for youth. YFSEC Program notices define “youth” as “children or adolescents who have reached their 12th birthday; but not their 20th birthday.” 29 CFR part 570, subpart E-1.
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) 7 U.S.C. 3175 Section 1425 authorizes a national education program to enable low-income individuals and families. Through EFNEP, the Department delivers several “youth” programs that offer education on nutrition, food preparation, and food safety 7 CFR part 15, subpart A.
The Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) 7 U.S.C. 341, et seq.; 7 U.S.C. 343(d) Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act authorizes the Department to administer the CYFAR SCP. Per Program notices, CYFAR SCP supports community educational programs for at-risk children, youth, and families which are based on locally identified needs, soundly grounded in research, and which lead to the accomplishment of one of four CYFAR National Outcomes; and (2) [t]o integrate CYFAR programming into ongoing Extension programs for children, youth, and families—insuring that at-risk, low income children, youth, and families continue to be part of Extension and/or 4-H programs and have access to resources and educational opportunities 7 CFR part 3015, 7 CFR part 3019, 7 CFR part 3430.
Risk Management Agency
Federal Crop Insurance Program 7 U.S.C. 1501 Per the Crop Insurance Handbook, which provides the official FCIC approved underwriting standards for policies administered by Approved Insurance Providers under the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions, 7 CFR part 457 including the Catastrophic Risk Protection Endorsement, 7 CFR part 402, and the Actual Production History Regulation 7 CFR part 400 Subpart G for the 2014 and succeeding crop years, to be eligible for crop insurance the applicant must be of “legal majority.” Legal majority is defined as “where the individual has reached 18 years old or was conferred legal majority by a court. (1) For individuals less than 18 years of age or where legal majority has not been conferred by a court, to be eligible for crop insurance: (a) A minor must provide evidence an insurable share exists; and (b) a court-appointed guardian or parent must co-sign the application. (2) When a court-appointed guardian or parent cosigns the application: (a) An acknowledgement guaranteeing payment of the annual premium must be include ed with the application; and (b) a written statement describing the farming operation and the insurable share must be provided. (3) For CAT coverage only, a minor who is competent to enter into a binding contract, may insure a crop at CAT level without a cosigner; however, if not competent to enter into a binding contract, a court-appointed guardian or parent must sign the application.” 7 CFR parts 400, 402, 457.

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