FNS Documents & Resources

Effective July 1, 2004, school officials verifying income eligibility for free and reduced price meals must allow households to provide documentation of income for any point in time between the month prior to application and the time the household is required to provide income documentation.

This memorandum serves to clarify the treatment of income intended for the care of a foster child when determining eligibility for participation in the CSFP.

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 specifies that households’ eligibility for free and reduced price meals shall remain in effect beginning on the date of eligibility for the current school year and ending on a date during the subsequent school year, as determined by the Secretary.

Over the past few months, we have learned that some local offices suggest that clients withdraw their applications. The suggestion or recommendation that a client withdraw impinges on the voluntary character of a withdrawal.

In response to recent inquiries, we are issuing the following guidance on using IRS Form 1040 to verify a provider’s household income when he/she attempts to qualify for tier I status on the basis of household income.