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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-2008-0052 Reaffirmation of Policy on Limited Disclosure of Children's Eligibility Information to the National Assessment of Educational Progress

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.

SP40-2008
09/29/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0050 30-Day Carryover and Delayed Implementation for Provision 2

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”).

SP37-2008
09/05/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2008-0026 Automatic Eligibility for Free Meal Benefits Extended to All Children 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.

SP23 CACFP07 SFSP06-2008
05/16/2008
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2006-0038 Verification Sample Size

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 .

SP27-2006
07/25/2006
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0047 Treatment of Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance and National Flood Insurance Program payments in Income Eligibility Determinations for FNS Programs

This memorandum provides guidance to state administrators in making household eligibility determinations in all nutrition assistance programs administered by FNS.

SP02 CACFP02 SFSP01-2006
10/29/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0039 Verification Confirmation Reviews - Reauthorization 2004

This memo is in response to requests for us to clarify what takes place when a confirmation review finds an error in the eligibility determination after a household has been initially notified of its status.

Reauthorization 2004: Implementation Memo – SP 18
09/27/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0010 Statutory Changes in the Free and Reduced Price Eligibility Determination Process and Revised Prototype Application Implementation Memo

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 amended sections of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act affecting the eligibility determination process for free and reduced price benefits under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and the Special Milk Program for Children.

SP-12-2005
03/07/2005
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2004-0031 Verification of Income Eligibility – Reauthorization 2004 Implementation

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.

SP5-2004
08/25/2004
Page updated: October 14, 2021