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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program Demonstration Projects to Evaluate Direct Certification with Medicaid

FNS is conducting additional demonstration projects to expand the evaluation of direct certification with Medicaid for both free and reduced price meal eligibility in NSLP and SBP.

11/09/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance USDA Secretary Vilsack Letter to States for SY 2022-23

Letter to states from the USDA Secretary to encourage you to help schools in your state keep kids fed despite ongoing challenges associated with the pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, and labor shortages.

09/02/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0049 2018 Direct Certification Improvement Grant RFA

The fiscal year 2018 Direct Certification Improvement Grant Request for Applications are available to state agencies that administer the National School Lunch and the School Breakfast programs to fund the costs of improving your direct certification rates with SNAP, and other needs-based assistance programs.

SP41-2017
08/15/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0036 Clarification of State Options for Determining Fleeing Felon Status for SNAP

FNS is issuing this policy memo to clarify state options and requirements relating to the determination of fleeing felon status under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(n).  

06/27/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0035 Changes to Martinez Fleeing Felon Test after Barry v. Lyon Decision

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  regulations at 7 CFR 273.11(n) require state agencies to choose between two tests to establish fleeing felon status: the four-part test and the alternative test, often called the Martinez test. This policy memo clarifies changes in the Martinez test necessitated by the Walter Barry, et al. v. Nick Lyon decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

06/27/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0028 Q&As: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act Final Rule Set #2

The attached questions and answers address the SNAP: Eligibility, Certification, and Employment and Training Provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 final rule. 

05/11/2017
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program Report to Congress: State Implementation Progress, SY 2014-15

This report responds to the requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Direct certification is a process conducted by the states and by local educational agencies to certify eligible children for free meals without the need for household applications. 

12/02/2016
Resource | Comment Request Comment Request: State Agency (NSLP/SNAP) Direct Certification Rate Data Element Report (FNS-834)

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

09/02/2016
Resource | Grants Direct Certification Improvement Grant Summaries

Grant Summaries

11/23/2015
Basic page 2015-16 Direct Certification Improvement Grant Summaries

Direct Certification Improvement Grant summaries for SBP projects awarded in 2015-16. 

10/09/2015
Page updated: October 14, 2021