allow credit for child support PAID when determining if a household qualifies for free or reduced school lunches

Many households are disapproved for reduced school lunches because the application policy makes an applicant report any child support received in a household, but does not reduce the reported household income by the amount of child support paid by the household. The purpose of reporting household income for free/reduced school lunches is to know how much money is available to support the household’s children. Child support RECEIVED IS available to support children. Child support PAID is NOT available. The policy penalizes honest parents who pay their child support and also support other children at home. It’s UNFAIR.
Recommended solution: Count child support as a NET amount (e.g., a household that pays $900/month and receives $500/month would REDUCE reported income by $400).