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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0073 CN COVID-19 Meal Times Nationwide Waiver - Extension

Due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA established a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. This waiver remains in effect through Aug. 31, 2020.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #23
05/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0072 Nationwide Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver- Extension

In response to the COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA established a nationwide waiver of congregate feeding requirements to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). This waiver applies to the NSLP, SBP, CACFP and SFSP. This waiver remains in effect until Aug. 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response #22
05/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0054 Extending Certification Periods and Adjusting Periodic Reports Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Blanket Approval

FNS is permitting all interested state agencies to extend certification periods and accordingly adjust periodic report submission dates for ongoing SNAP households who are due for recertification or periodic reporting through June 30, 2020.

04/24/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0038 Child Nutrition Program Nationwide Waivers: Q&As

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, and based on the exceptional circumstances of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, FNS issued three nationwide waivers to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. 

SP13-2020
04/13/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0034 SNAP – Denial of Certain Requests to Adjust SNAP Regulations

This letter transmits the FNS denial of certain requests to adjust SNAP regulations that do not meet the requirements for approval provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

04/10/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0026 2017 Edition: Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge - Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools

This is the 2017 Edition of Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge: Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools. This best practice guide is designed to support state agencies and local program operators in their efforts to find workable solutions to the challenge of unpaid meal charges.

SP29-2017
05/10/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0013 Unpaid Meal Charges: Guidance and Q&As

This question and answer memorandum is designed to provide an overview of policies related to unpaid meal charges and to address common questions FNS has received from state agencies, school food authorities, and local program operators.

SP23-2017
03/23/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0051 Ensuring Year-long Eligibility in the School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

The purpose of this memorandum is to strongly encourage local educational agencies to accept eligibility determinations from a transferring student’s former LEA to minimize disruptions in meal benefits for low-income students and avoid student debt resulting from unpaid meal charges.

SP51-2016
08/05/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0046 Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments

There has been confusion about how unpaid meal charges must be handled when all collection efforts have been exhausted. To help address these situations, this memorandum clarifies the processes of designating delinquent debt that has been determined to be uncollectable as bad debt and obtaining assistance to offset bad debt losses.

SP47-2016
07/13/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0045 Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies

The purpose of this memorandum is to address the need for school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to institute and clearly communicate a meal charge policy, which would include, if applicable, the availability of alternate meals.

SP46-2016
07/08/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021