Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | Interim Final Rule Interim Rule: Direct Certification and Certification of Homeless, Migrant and Runaway Children for Free School Meals

This rule amends the regulations affecting the determination of children's eligibility for free meals under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program by direct certification and categorical eligibility. Conforming changes and miscellaneous technical changes are also made, as appropriate, for the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.

04/25/2011
Resource | Grants FY 2011 Application for Direct Certification Planning Grants

Checklist for Developing a Direct Certification 2nd Round Planning Grant Proposal

02/07/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0003 Letter Method for Direct Certification

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.

SP13-2011
01/14/2011
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program: State Progress in Implementation Report to Congress

This report responds to the legislative requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Under direct certification, children are determined eligible for free school meals without the need for household applications by using data from other means-tested programs.

11/01/2010
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program: State Implementation Progress - Report to Congress

This report responds to the legislative requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Under direct certification, children are determined eligible for free school meals without the need for household applications by using data from other means-tested programs. 

10/01/2009
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program: State Implementation Progress

This report responds to a requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to conduct direct certification of children for free school meals. Under direct certification, children are determined eligible for free meals without the need for household applications by using data from other means-tested programs.

12/30/2008
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-2005-0016 Agreement Checklist for Direct Certification and Direct Verification of Children in Food Stamp Households – Reauthorization 2004: Implementation Memo – SP- 14

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004  requires school districts to directly certify for free school meals any child who is a member of a household receiving assistance under the Food Stamp Program.

04/19/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0007 Direct Certification and Direct Verification for National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 allows children to be certified as eligible for free meals under the NSLP and the SBP based on participation in other programs authorized under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended. No further application by the child’s household is necessary.

FD-045
02/23/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0006 Food Stamp and Child Nutrition Agreements for Direct Certification

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires that children in food stamp households be directly certified for free school meals. To prepare for the phased in implementation of mandatory direct certification, which begins for the largest school districts in July 2006 and covers all school districts by July 2008, we convened a work group on Jan. 26–27, 2005.

02/15/2005
Page updated: October 14, 2021