Skip to main content
Resource | Technical Assistance Verification Toolkit

School food authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs are required to verify income for a small percentage of households approved for free or reduced price meals each school year. However, getting households to respond to verification requests can be challenging for SFA staff. If households do not respond, they lose their benefits regardless of their actual eligibility.

12/08/2018
Resource | Federal Register Notices Correction: NSLP, Special Milk, SBP National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates

In notice document 2018-15465, appearing on pages 34105 through 34108, in the issue of Thursday, July 19, 2018, make the following correction: On page 34107, in the table, in the “Maximum Rate” column, in the first row, “0.30” should read “0.39”.

08/10/2018
Resource | Federal Register Notices National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs; National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)

This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the federal government provides states for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the national school lunch and school breakfast programs.

07/19/2018
Resource Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines (2018-2019)

This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.

05/08/2018
Resource | Webinars/Videos Webinar: Verification Toolkit and Beginning Verification Before October 1

A brief overview of the resources contained in the Verification Toolkit, as well as a detailed walk-through outlining a few options for beginning verification before October 1.

03/28/2018
Resource CFR Correction: Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools

Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 210 to 299, is revised as of Jan. 1, 2015, on page 339, in § 245.6a, in paragraph (h).

12/22/2015
Resource Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines (2015-2016)

This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. 

03/31/2015
Resource | Policy Memos Determining Area Eligibility Based on School Data

This memorandum provides guidance on using school data when determining area eligibility for purposes of the child nutrition programs in instances where school attendance areas may not accurately reflect the population of the school for which eligibility data is being used. 

11/23/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Guidance on Income Eligibility Determinations and Duration

This memorandum provides guidance and clarification regarding individual income eligibility determinations and durations in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

02/10/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Verification for Cause in the School Meals Programs

Recently, concerns have been raised about school district employees allegedly misrepresenting their incomes on applications to receive free or reduced price school meals for their children.

02/10/2012
Page updated: October 14, 2021