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Resource | Federal Register Documents Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk

This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk as stated in FNS regulations.

05/08/2023
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0177 Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component- Extension

This waiver allows schools and afterschool care centers, regardless of their location, to serve at-risk afterschool meals and snacks to students after the regular school day, through June 30, 2021. This waiver applies to state agencies administrating and local organizations operating the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #68
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0136 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension 5

Pursuant to Section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency,  FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #38
07/30/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0073 CN COVID-19 Meal Times Nationwide Waiver - Extension

Due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA established a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. This waiver remains in effect through Aug. 31, 2020.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #23
05/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0072 Nationwide Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver- Extension

In response to the COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA established a nationwide waiver of congregate feeding requirements to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). This waiver applies to the NSLP, SBP, CACFP and SFSP. This waiver remains in effect until Aug. 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response #22
05/21/2020
Resource | Waivers Child Nutrition Area Eligibility Waiver

Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act, FNS is allowing states during unanticipated school closures to waive the requirement in the summer feeding programs that “open site” meal service is limited to areas with at least half of the children in the area are in low-income households.

05/06/2020
Resource | Comment Request Comment Request - Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk

This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk as stated in FNS regulations. These federal requirements affect eligibility under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program and are also applicable to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program when individual eligibility must be established

01/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Determining Area Eligibility Based on School Data

This memorandum provides guidance on using school data when determining area eligibility for purposes of the child nutrition programs in instances where school attendance areas may not accurately reflect the population of the school for which eligibility data is being used. 

SP 06-2013, CACFP 03-2013, SFSP 03-2013
11/23/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Equity in School Lunch Pricing Fact Sheet

This memorandum provides information relating to section 205 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This provision requires school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program to ensure that schools are providing the same level of support for lunches served to students who are not eligible for free or reduced price lunches (i.e., paid lunches) as they are for lunches served to students eligible for free lunches.

03/02/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2004-0018 Exclusion of the Housing Allowance for Military Households in Privatized Housing - Reauthorization 2004: Implementation Memo CN 1

In accordance with the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, the housing allowance for military personnel living in privatized housing will be permanently excluded from income when determining household eligibility for free and reduced price meals or free milk in all of the child nutrition programs.

Reauthorization 2004: Implementation Memo CN 1
07/01/2004
Page updated: October 14, 2021