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Resource | Policy Memos Direct Certification and Zero Benefit Households

Section 9(b)(12)(A)(i) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act restricts categorical eligibility for free school meals based on SNAP participation to children who are members of a household receiving assistance under SNAP. Therefore, a child who is a member of a household that is receiving “zero benefits” from SNAP is not categorically eligible for free meals, unless the child is categorically eligible for another reason.

10/25/2011
Resource | Policy Memos Direct Certification Benchmarks and Continuous Improvement Plans

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement provisions contained in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which establish direct certification rate benchmarks for states and require continuous improvement plans from states that do not meet the benchmarks.

04/28/2011
Resource | Policy Memos Reporting Instructions for Form FNS-874: Local Educational Agency Second Review of Applications

Section 304 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires local educational agencies that demonstrate high levels of, or a high risk for administrative error associated with certification, verification and other administrative processes to conduct an independent review of the initial eligibility determinations for free and reduced price school meal applications for accuracy prior to notifying households of eligibility. 

03/09/2016
Resource | Guidance Documents Requirement that SAs and SFA Review FSMC Cost Reimbursable Contracts and Contracts Associated with USDA Foods

The purpose of this memorandum is to call attention to previously published memoranda providing clarification on the requirement to oversee and monitor school food authority contracts with Food Service Management Companies and to ensure ongoing technical assistance and training provided by state agencies includes this information.

02/12/2013
Resource | Policy Memos Residential Child Care Institutions Exception for Safety if Serving Multiple Age/Grade Groups

This memorandum allows Residential Child Care Institutions meeting certain requirements to serve one meal pattern even when the age/grades being served span more than one age/grade group.

07/16/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Review of Special Provision Options 2 and 3 Base Year

Since school year (SY) 2013 -14, state agencies have been required to conduct a review of base year certification and benefit issuance documentation for any school food authority requesting approval to participate in NSLP or SBP using Special Provisions 2 or 3.

09/18/2015
Resource | Policy Memos Revised Meat/Meat Alternates and Milk Charts in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs

Attached are the Revised Meat/Meat Alternates and Milk charts of the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

12/14/2012
Basic page Planning Resources

This module contains resources specifically targeted for the planning phase of implementation. Here is where you can assess your school’s potential ability to offer breakfast, barriers to overcome, and how to propose a breakfast program to other stakeholders.

08/29/2013
Basic page State Agency
08/23/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Scanned Income Applications

There have been multiple questions concerning software programs that scan free or reduced price applications but only capture income as whole dollar amounts.

01/29/2007
Page updated: October 08, 2018