Student eligibility for free meals is determined by application or by direct certification. Although direct certification systems vary by State and LEA, all such systems are designed to eliminate the need for paper applications. Effective in SY 2011-12, LEAs must conduct direct certification three times per year: once at or around the start of the school year, and again three and six months after that initial effort. All direct certification systems now match student enrollment lists against SNAP agency records and the records of other assistance agencies whose participants are categorically eligible for free meals. The matching process, whether automated or manual, requires no action by the children’s parents or guardians.
Access to SNAP benefits by eligible applicants and ongoing participants is one of the highest priorities set by the Food and Nutrition Service. Improving program access helps to increase food security among low-income, eligible persons. FNS and state agencies work to improve program access in two ways: first, by informing people about the availability of food assistance through SNAP, and second, by identifying barriers that prevent eligible people from accessing program benefits.
Press Release--USDA Unveils Historic Improvements to Meals Served in America’s Schools
This proposed rule would require local education agencies participating in the Department's National School Lunch Program and demonstrating high levels of, or a high risk for administrative error associated with certification, verification, and other administrative processes to conduct an independent review of the initial eligibility determinations for free and reduced price school meals for accuracy prior to notifying households of eligibility or ineligibility.
Attached are revised questions and answers related to the Food and Nutrition Service prototype 6 Cents Certification Tool.
This colorful handout (four page booklet) for parents reinforces the class lessons at home.
On March 19, 2012, FNS issued the memo titled Family Day Care Home Administrative Reimbursements: Options and Carryover Reporting Requirements, which described procedures for reporting fiscal year 2011 family day care home administrative payments and carryover. The present memo focuses on reporting family day care home carryover for FY 2012 and beyond.
This memo provides additional information regarding the Central Valley Meat investigation described in memorandum SP43 CACFP22 SFSP16- 2012.
This memorandum provides guidance to states on how to treat MLR rebates received by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households.
This rulemaking establishes the requirements regarding the allocation of administrative funds for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and the Food Distribution Program for Indian Households in Oklahoma, both of which are referred to as "FDPIR"' in this rulemaking.