Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites for Summer 2022 Operations – EXTENSION 4

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) (PL 116-127), as amended, and based on the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending a nationwide waiver to allow area eligibility for closed enrolled sites in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through Sept. 30, 2022, to ensure continuity of program operations that will provide access to nutritious meals for program participants this summer. This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option - EXTENSION 3 granted on March 9, 2021, that expired on Sept. 30, 2021. This waiver extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

Section 2202(a) of the FFCRA permits the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a waiver for all states for the purposes of providing meals under the child nutrition programs or to ensure continuity of program operations. Under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act at 42 USC 1761(a)(1)(A)(i)(III) and program regulations at 7 CFR 225.15(f), closed enrolled sites are required to collect income eligibility applications to determine that 50 percent of the children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. However, FNS recognizes that, to ensure continuity of program operations, extending the waiver of the collection of income applications for closed enrolled sites would reduce administrative burden on state agencies and sponsors and would provide access to nutritious meals and meal supplements during the summer months.

Therefore, pursuant to the FFCRA authority cited above, FNS extends, for all states that elect to be subject to this waiver, the waiver of those requirements at 42 USC 1761(a)(1)(A)(i)(III) and program regulations at 7 CFR 225.15(f), that require applications in order to serve SFSP meals at closed enrolled sites that are area eligible. This waiver is effective immediately and remains in effect through September 30, 2022. FNS extends this flexibility to SSO for the duration of this waiver.

Consistent with section 2202(a)(2) of the FFCRA, this extension applies automatically to all states that elect to use it, without further application. State agencies must inform their regional office if they elect to be subject to the waiver. However, for SFSP and SSO operators to use these flexibilities, they must contact the state agency for approval and provide the state agency any necessary information to complete the report requirements discussed below. State agencies should inform local program operators of the flexibilities provided by this waiver as quickly as possible, and work in partnership with local operators to provide meals to all participants this summer.

Please note, state agencies that have already received a traditional SFSP waiver of the closed enrolled site requirements may elect to be covered by this nationwide waiver during the COVID-19 pandemic, in place of their waiver. As previously determined, the SFSP waivers will remain in effect through April 30, 2023, or until FNS publishes a final regulation that supersedes the approval, whichever comes first. Therefore, there is no need for state agencies to withdraw or resubmit those requests.

As required by Section 2202(d), each state that elects the closed enrolled site flexibility must submit a report to the Secretary not later than one year after the date such state received the extension. The report must include a summary of the use of this waiver by the state agency and local program operators.

FNS appreciates the exceptional effort of state agencies and local program operators working to meet the nutritional needs of participants. State agencies should direct questions to the appropriate FNS regional office.

J. Kevin Maskornick
Director
Community Meals Policy Division