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.
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.
The administrators of the NAEP have asked that we remind school food authorities that they may disclose, without parent/guardian consent, children’s names and eligibility status (whether they are eligible for free meals or free milk or reduced price meals) to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of a federal or state education program.
This memorandum is to clarify the relationship between delayed implementation of Provision 2 and use of a child’s prior year’s eligibility status for the first 30 operating days in the new school year (“carryover”).
This memorandum supplements the guidance issued on May 16, 2008, concerning automatic eligibility for free meals for any child who is enrolled in Head Start.
This memorandum provides guidance regarding amendments to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act that extend automatic eligibility for free meal benefits, including free milk, to all children enrolled in Head Start and participating in child nutrition programs.
The purpose of this memo is to highlight previously issued guidance on the disclosure of eligibility information between child nutrition programs, and to offer clarification on the application of this policy.
In an effort to provide administrative relief to state agencies and Summer Food Service Program sponsoring organizations, we are extending to the SFSP a provision of the CACFP that allows state agencies and institutions to rely upon a determination of area eligibility for up to five years when based on National School Lunch Program data.
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act was amended by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 to specify verification sample sizes for local educational agencies .
This memorandum provides guidance to state administrators in making household eligibility determinations in all nutrition assistance programs administered by FNS.