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Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity NSLP/SBP Access, Participation, Eligibility, and Certification Study – Erroneous Payments in the NSLP and SBP

Program errors and the risk of erroneous payments in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) continue to be a concern. Slightly more than one in five students were certified inaccurately or erroneously denied benefits in school year (SY) 2005-06. New data estimates the gross cost of school meals erroneous payments due to certification error at about $935 million while other operational errors represent about $860 million. 

11/14/2007
Resource | Research and Data The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007

The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans outline nutrient-dense foods and beverages, their amounts, and associated costs that can be purchased on three successively higher budgets, each supporting a healthy diet through nutritious meals and snacks at home. The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans are used by various federal and state agencies and the court system. 

11/14/2007
Resource | Policy Memos Overuse of the 15 Percent ABAWD Exemptions by State Agencies

This memo provides guidance to state agencies regarding large grant offset of overused ABAWD funds.

11/08/2007
Resource WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (2007-2008)

These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.

07/01/2007
Resource | Policy Memos Documentation of Tier I Eligibility Determinations in the CACFP

The purpose of this memorandum is to highlight some of the results of that study, and to re-issue guidance concerning what constitutes acceptable documentation of tier I eligibility for family day care homes.

06/15/2007
Resource | Policy Memos Area Eligibility Duration in the Summer Food Service Program

In an effort to provide administrative relief to state agencies and Summer Food Service Program sponsoring organizations, we are extending to the SFSP a provision of the CACFP that allows state agencies and institutions to rely upon a determination of area eligibility for up to five years when based on National School Lunch Program data.

04/20/2007
Resource | Research and Data Thrifty Food Plan, 2006

The Thrifty Food Plan, a fundamental part of the U.S. food guidance system and the basis for maximum food stamp allotments, has been revised by USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, with assistance from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, Economic Research Service, and Agricultural Research Service. The TFP provides a representative healthful and minimal cost meal plan that shows how a nutritious diet may be achieved with limited resources. The plan assumes that all purchased food is consumed at home.

04/11/2007
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: Disclosure of Children's Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk Eligibility Information in the Child Nutrition Programs

This final rule establishes requirements for the disclosure of children's free and reduced price meals or free milk eligibility information under the child nutrition programs.

03/12/2007
Resource | Research and Data | Promoting Healthy Eating Implications of Restricting the Use of Food Stamp Benefits

Because of concerns about poor diet, overweight, and obesity among low-income Americans, there is considerable interest in using federal nutrition assistance programs to promote healthy choices. Some argue that food stamp recipients should be prohibited from using their benefits to buy foods with limited nutritional value (commonly described as “junk” foods). The Food Stamp Act currently places few limits on the use of food stamp benefits, as long as they are used to buy food to eat at home. The idea of restricting the use of food stamp benefits may be appealing on its face. However, upon closer examination, serious concerns emerge regarding the feasibility and rationale for the proposed restriction.

03/01/2007
Resource | Policy Memos Extension of Food Stamp Income Exclusion - Deployment to a Combat Zone

The FY 2005 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Agriculture included a provision which excluded from consideration as income in the Food Stamp Program additional pay received by military personnel as a result of deployment to a combat zone. This provision has been extended.

03/01/2007
Page updated: October 14, 2021