Categorical Eligibility for Upward Bound Sites

We have received a request to allow states to consider Upward Bound sites to be categorically eligible to participate in the SFSP based on the eligibility criteria for the Upward Bound program.

SFSP regulations, 7 CER 225.15(f), Applications for Program Meals, state “Applications are not necessary if other information sources are available and can be used to determine eligibility of individual children in camps or sites.” The SFSP and Upward Bound program both have an income eligibility threshold of 185% of the national poverty guideline. In addition, the Upward Bound program requires that a minimum of two thirds of its participants qualify as “low income participants, which exceeds the 50% requirement of the SFSP. We consider these conditions to satisfy the requirements of SFSP regulations with regard to available “information sources” that “can be used to determine eligibility of individual children in camps or sites.”

Therefore, state agencies may consider closed enrolled sites that provide service exclusively to Upward Bound program participants to be “categorically eligible” without SFSP specific applications for individual program participants.

Summer Camps and SFSP sites that provide service to both Upward Bound and non-Upward Bound participants (nonexclusive Upward Bound sites) may not be approved as categorically eligible. However, state agencies may allow sponsors that administer the Upward Bound program to use the Upward Bound application in lieu of the SFSP application to determine income eligibility for all SFSP participants. For example, an income eligible Upward Bound participant is considered income eligible in the SFSP while an Upward Bound participant who not income eligible for that program would not be considered income eligible in the SFSP.

All other SFSP documentation and record retention requirements remain in effect.

STANLEY C. GARNETT
Director
Child Nutrition Division