Community Eligibility Provision

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. CEP allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Instead, schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Rulemaking

Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision - Increasing Options for Schools

• Final Rule
  • Summary of Final Rule
  • Policy memo SP 22-2023 CEP: Implementing the New Minimum ISP
  • Webinar on Final Rule 
• Proposed Rule
  • Summary of Proposed Rule
  • Webinar on Proposed Rule 

Eligibility and Participation in CEP

• FRAC Eligibility Status Searchable Database
• USDA State List of Eligible Schools/LEAs
• CEP slider tool - enter your ISP to estimate free and paid claiming percentages under the CEP.

Community Eligibility Provision Resource Center

The CEP Resource Center provides extensive resources for parents, teachers, and school officials at the local, state, and federal level to better understand CEP and its benefits, along with useful tools to help facilitate successful implementation of the provision in your school!