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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0066 Direct Certification and Zero Benefit Households

Section 9(b)(12)(A)(i) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act restricts categorical eligibility for free school meals based on SNAP participation to children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP. Therefore, a child who is a member of a household that is receiving “zero benefits” from SNAP is not categorically eligible for free meals, unless the child is categorically eligible for another reason.

SP03-2012
10/25/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2010-0016 Categorical Eligibility: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

This is a reminder of the statutory and regulatory requirements for categorical eligibility for the Child Nutrition Programs based on receipt of benefits from each state’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act restricts categorical eligibility to those TANF programs with standards that are comparable to or more restrictive than those in effect on June 1, 1995.

SP22 CACFP10 SFSP08-2010
04/19/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0054 Extending Categorical Eligibility to Additional Children in a Household

This memorandum modifies the policy related to categorical eligibility for free meals or free milk for children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program.

SP38 CACFP08 SFSP07-2009
08/27/2009
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0029 Documentation of Tier I Eligibility Determinations in the CACFP

The purpose of this memorandum is to highlight some of the results of that study, and to re-issue guidance concerning what constitutes acceptable documentation of tier I eligibility for family day care homes.

CACFP 08-2007
06/15/2007
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2006-0044 Clarification of Direct Verification

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify state agency procedures for direct verification, especially concerning the use of Medicaid data.

SP32-2006
08/31/2006
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2006-0021 Free and Reduced Price Meal Eligibility Determinations Reauthorization 2004

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the impact of these modifications on the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

CACFP 10-2006
03/30/2006
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0012 Verification Activities – Reauthorization 2004 Implementation Memo SP-13

This memorandum provides information about implementing requirements concerning confirmation activities, individual review of selected applications and follow-up in relation to verification of households’ eligibility for free or reduced price meals.

03/10/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-1997-0010 Memorandum for Child Nutrition State Directors Concerning the TANF Program

The memorandum explains the circumstances under which a state agency may use the automatic eligibility provisions for free school meals and milk for children from households who are receiving assistance under the state’s TANF Program. It also discusses TANF as it affects reimbursement and eligibility under the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.

05/19/1997
Page updated: October 14, 2021