Skip to main content
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations NSLP Direct Certification Improvement Study

The purpose of this study is to describe current methods of direct certification used by state and local agencies and challenges facing states and local education agencies in attaining high matching rates. 

08/27/2014
Resource | Policy Responding to Food Recall Procedures for Recalls of USDA Foods

This general USDA Foods guidance manual was developed to provide an overview of the recall process for USDA Foods with a focus on school meals programs.

05/30/2014
Resource | Guidance Documents Revised Policy on Certification Periods for Zero Income Households

This memorandum provides revised policy guidance on certification periods pertaining to zero income households in FDPIR. FNS Handbook 501 provides that households who report zero income month after month must be asked as to how they sustain themselves and other household members.

05/13/2014
Resource | Policy New Q&As Related to the Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the NSLP

Attached are revised questions and answers related to the final rule entitled, Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

03/14/2014
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: Certification of Compliance With Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the HHFKA of 2010

This final rule adopts, with some revisions, changes to the NSLP regulations, as set forth in the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2012. The changes conform to requirements contained in the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 regarding performance-based cash assistance for school food authorities certified compliant with meal pattern and nutrition standards.

01/03/2014
Resource | Guidance Documents Waivers of 7 CFR 273.10(f)(4) – Shortening Certification Periods

This is to advise you that we are revising conditions associated with waivers of 7 CFR 273.10(f)(4) which would allow state agencies to shorten the certification periods of food stamp households

10/13/2006
Resource | Guidance Documents Face-to-Face Interview Waiver Criteria

This is to advise you that we are expanding our criteria for the approval of waivers of the face-to-face interview at both initial and recertification. We also wish to note that since state agencies already may waive the face-to-face interview on an individual case basis based on a finding of hardship, we are now categorizing these waivers as waivers of the requirement that state agencies document hardship prior to utilizing alternatives to the face-to-face interview.

10/06/2006
Resource | Guidance Documents Q&A – Implementation of New Racial/Ethnic Data Collection

Attached is a Q&A fact sheet that answers questions and provides further guidance on the new racial/ethnic data collection and the new FNS-101 reporting. The July 31, 2006, memorandum offers further policy guidance on this regulation.

09/21/2006
Resource | Guidance Documents Client Confidentiality and Group Interviews

Protecting the confidentiality of food stamp applicants and participants has been an important component of the Food Stamp Program since its inception. While FNS has been aware for some time that a number of state agencies have been making use of group interviews in order to simplify office operations, recently regional offices also have asked for guidance on various ways that group interviews might be conducted in their states. 

09/01/2006
Resource | Guidance Documents Clarification of Direct Verification

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify state agency procedures for direct verification, especially concerning the use of Medicaid data.

08/31/2006
Page updated: October 14, 2021