School Hunger Elimination Act of 2024

The School Hunger Elimination Act of 2024 mandates automatic enrollment in free school meals for children receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and expands Medicaid-based direct certification, eliminating the need for families to submit separate applications. It requires schools to retroactively reimburse families for meals served since the start of the school year when a child’s eligibility changes (e.g., from reduced-price to free meals) and ensures schools receive federal reimbursement for these meals. The bill also establishes universal free meal service in high-poverty schools starting in 2025 and creates a demonstration program for states to implement statewide free meal programs, prioritizing states with high childhood poverty or strong existing certification rates. This directly affects low-income students, schools, and families by reducing administrative barriers and increasing access to free meals.