How to Improve School Meals Applications
Overview
The school meals programs support the healthy development of children and help to ensure that low-income school-aged children have access to adequate nutrition. The process of enrolling for free or reduced-price meals and the application form itself are the gateway to these benefits. Typically school districts send home school meals applications and parents complete them at home without assistance.[1] In contrast to many other income-tested programs, there are no caseworkers dedicated to helping parents navigate the application form or process. Thus, it is particularly important that these applications be easy to use, provide clear directions, and avoid steps that might deter eligible families from applying. If parents do not complete and return the application form, their children may miss meals, jeopardizing their healthy development and learning.[2] Fortunately, eligibility for the school meals programs is relatively straightforward, making a user-friendly application an achievable goal for states and school districts.
As a result of changes in recent legislation reauthorizing the federal school meals programs, every school district in the country had to revise its school meals application for the 2011-2012 school year.[3] In order to assess the changes that were made and to identify problems that still exist on many applications, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reviewed school year 2011-2012 applications and other household materials, such as instructions, that are available online for each state and the largest school districts. This review builds on an earlier review, which examined 2010-2011 applications in anticipation of the revisions.[4]
Our review of materials in use by states and large school districts for the 2011-2012 school year revealed that in some instances required elements of household materials are missing and that even when all requirements are met, household materials are not always as simple and clear as they could be. Applications and other household materials can be improved to streamline the application process and substantially enhance program access for eligible children.
This paper is intended as a resource for states and school districts as they develop household materials related to the school meals programs.[5] It is not a comprehensive guide to developing these materials; rather, it focuses on a few key elements of the application by highlighting best practices from around the country and pointing out areas where current materials often fall short.
Click on state abbreviations below for each state's School Meal Program:
To read the full text of this report, click here.
Checklist of Key Features of School Meals Application Materials to Improve Program Access
| Provide materials in a language and at a level that parents can understand by |
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| Simplify applications for categorically eligible children by |
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| Reduce math errors by |
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| Encourage families that may be eligible to apply by stating clearly on the website and application |
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| Encourage eligible families selected for verification to respond by including in the verification |
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State School Meals Program Web Sites
USDA Model Application
School Meals Homepage: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/
Forms: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Application, parent/household letter, instructions, disclosure forms, verification notices, notice of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines
- Translations (33 languages including English; updated July 2011): Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Croatian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Kurdish, Laotian, Mien, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Samoan, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Sudanese, Tagalog, Thai, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
- “I Speak” form
Reauthorization Policy Memoranda:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/CNR_2010.htm
State School Meals Information
School Meals Homepage: http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/section_detail.asp?section=53&footer=sections
Forms: http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/documents.asp?section=53&sort=44&footer=sections
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, disclosure forms, verification notices, notification of approval/denial, notice of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines, sample public release (2009)
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/cnp/NSLP.html
Forms: http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/cnp/NSLP2.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, disclosure forms, verification notices, notification of approval/denial, notice of direct certification, sample public release.
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.azed.gov/health-nutrition/nslp/
Forms: http://www.azed.gov/health-nutrition/nslp/2011-2012-program-forms/
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, application, information sharing, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial letter, notification of verification
- English and Spanish
Policy guidance manuals: http://www.azed.gov/health-nutrition/nslp/manuals/
- Link to USDA’s October 2011 eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://cnn.k12.ar.us/
Forms: http://cnn.k12.ar.us/documents/forms.aspx
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notice of approval/denial, verification notices, notice of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines
- English and Spanish
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/
Forms: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/eligmaterials.asp
- 2011-2012 eligibility guidelines, sample public release (updated 2005)
Back to table.
School Meals Homepages: http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_nutrition.htm,
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdenutritran/nutriprograms.htm
Forms: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdenutritran/nutriformsbook.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial, sharing information form, sample public release
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations of application packets
Policy Memorandum: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdenutritran/nutripdfdocs.htm
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=320676
Forms: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=320680
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, application, instructions, notification letter, notification of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information forms, sample public release
- Link to USDA translations
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/students_family/nutrition/
Forms: http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/students_family/nutrition/
- For school year 2011-2012
- Letter, instructions, application, sharing information form, FAQ
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Beyond+the+Classroom/Food+Services
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, application
- English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Amharic
Online application: https://mealapps.dcps.dc.gov/lfserver/eform
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/divisions/fnw/national_school_lunch.html
Florida’s forms have been removed from the internet. In September 2011, we reviewed Florida’s 2011-2012 English-language parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notice of eligibility, notification of direct certification, and notification of verification.
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/fbo_nutrition.aspx
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of direct certification, information sharing, notification of approval/denial, notification of verification, income eligibility guidelines, sample public release
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
Back to table.
School Breakfast Homepage: http://ohcnp.k12.hi.us/programs/breakfast.html
School Lunch Homepage: http://ohcnp.k12.hi.us/programs/lunch/index.html
Forms: http://ohcnp.k12.hi.us/programs/lunch/index.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, sharing information form, income eligibility guidelines
- Link to USDA translation
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/cnp/nslp/
Forms: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/cnp/nslp/freeReducedApp.htm
- Parent/household letter, instructions, applications, income eligibility guidelines, sample public release
- English and Spanish
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nutrition/htmls/national_school_lunch.htm
Forms: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nutrition/htmls/household_eligibility.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
Administration Resources and Verification Forms: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nutrition/htmls/forms_sbn.htm
- Also includes link to USDA’s October 2011 eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/nutrition/school-nutrition-programs
Forms: http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/nutrition/snp-free-and-reduced-price-forms
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, notification of error found on submitted application, sharing information form
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
Verification forms: http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/nutrition/snp-verification
Free and Reduced Price information: http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/nutrition/snp-free-and-reduced-information
- Includes link to USDA’s October 2011 eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Lunch Homepage: http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=369&Itemid=402
Forms: http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=369&Itemid=402
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, notification of verification, income eligibility guidelines
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
- Link to USDA’s October 2011 eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.kn-eat.org/SNP/SNP_Menus/SNP_Home.htm#top
Forms: http://www.kn-eat.org/SNP/SNP_Menus/SNP_Admin_Program_Renewal_2012.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, notification of verification, notification of benefit decrease, income eligibility guidelines, sample public release, guidance for administrators
Forms Translations: http://www.kn-eat.org/SNP/SNP_Menus/SNP_Admin_Foreign_Language_Translations.htm
- Spanish and link to USDA translations
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://scn.ky.gov/nslp.htm
Forms: http://scn.ky.gov/nslp.htm (Updated forms are under “What’s new,” titled “2011-2012 Prototype Household Application”)
- For school year 2011-2012 (as well as old material still posted)
- Letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form, notification of verification, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification
- Resources for administrators, school meals brochures, 2008 (outdated) USDA eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.state.la.us/offices/nutritionsupport/nslp.html
Forms: http://cnp.doe.state.la.us/DNAMemos/Forms.asp
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form, notification of verification, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, sample public release
Resources for Administrators: http://cnp.doe.state.la.us/DNAMemos/DNAResources.asp
- Link to USDA translations
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.maine.gov/education/sfs/
Forms: http://www.maine.gov/education/sfs/forms_tab.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of eligibility, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form
- English, French (letter and instructions only), and link to USDA translations (titled “Somali Packet”)
Verification Forms: http://www.maine.gov/education/sfs/verif.html
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/schoolnutrition/nutr_prog/school_lunch.htm
- Income eligibility guidelines
Back to table.
School Lunch Program Homepage: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/nslp.html
School Breakfast Program Homepage: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/sbp/
Forms: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/free_red/
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, application, notification of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form, notification of approval/denial, notification of verification, hearing procedure guidelines
- Link to USDA translations
Back to table.
Homepage: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6569_29919---,00.html
Forms: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-43092_50144-194552--,00.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, eligibility criteria, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, sharing information form
- English and Spanish
Verification information: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-43092_50144-222884--,00.html
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/FNS/SNP/index.html
Forms: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/FNS/SNP/AppStuMeals/index.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, eligibility criteria
- Memos to administrators
- English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish; link to USDA translations
Direct Certification Forms:
http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/FNS/SNP/AppStuMeals/DirectCert/index.html
Verification Forms: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/FNS/SNP/AppStuMeals/Verif/index.html
Back to table.
National School Lunch Homepage: http://www.healthyschoolsms.org/nutrition_services/nslp.htm
- Link to USDA translations
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.healthyschoolsms.org/nutrition_services/nsbp.htm
Forms: http://www.healthyschoolsms.org/nutrition_services/MealApplications.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, applications, income eligibility guidelines
Back to table.
National School Lunch Homepage: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/Lunch_Program.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/Breakfast_Program.html
Forms: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/Handbooks.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of direct certification, notification of approval/denial, sharing information form, notification of verification (in “Verification guidance” document)
- Sample public release, income eligibility guidelines, guidance for administrators, USDA eligibility manual (October 2011)
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.opi.mt.gov/schoolfood/index.html
Forms:
http://www.opi.mt.gov/Programs/SchoolPrograms/School_Nutrition/index.html#gpm1_4 (under “Free and Reduced School Meals”)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial, notification of change in eligibility, notification of direct certification
- Memos to administrators, sample public release
Back to table.
School Lunch Homepage: http://www.education.ne.gov/ns/nslp/
Forms: http://www.education.ne.gov/ns/forms/nslpforms/index.html
(Click “Application - Income eligibility guidelines” to see application forms and “Application – Verification” to see verification forms)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, notice of change in benefits, notification of selection for verification, sharing information form, income eligibility guidelines
- Resources for administrators, link to USDA eligibility manual (October 2011)
Translated forms: http://www.education.ne.gov/ns/forms/nslpforms/usda.html
- Spanish and link to USDA translations
Back to table.
School Meals Homepages: http://www.doe.nv.gov/CNSH.htm, http://www.doe.nv.gov/NSLP.htm
Application packet: http://www.doe.nv.gov/PDFs/1-NumberedMemos/2010-2011/2011-03-25_NSLP-2011-44_SY2012_FRLApplication.pdf (available on http://www.doe.nv.gov/NumberedMemos_2010-2011.htm)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, sharing information form, notification of verification, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification
2011-2012 memos (including memo about USDA translations): http://www.doe.nv.gov/NumberedMemos_2011-2012.htm
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.education.nh.gov/program/nutrition/school_lunch.htm
- Link to October 2011 eligibility manual
Forms: http://www.education.nh.gov/program/nutrition/nslp_application.htm
http://www.education.nh.gov/program/nutrition/verification.htm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, sharing information form, income eligibility guidelines, notification of direct certification, notification of verification
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/school.html
School Lunch Homepage: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/school_lunch.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/school_breakfast.html
Forms: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/applic/forms/ (under “Food and Nutrition”)
- Notification of verification (English and Spanish), income eligibility guidelines, notification of incomplete application (English and Spanish), notification of approval/denial, sharing information form
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/nutrition/index.html
- Link to 2008 USDA eligibility manual
Back to table.
Child Nutrition Homepage: http://portal.nysed.gov/portal/page/pref/CNKC
- Link to USDA eligibility manual (October 2011)
Forms: http://portal.nysed.gov/portal/page/pref/CNKC/Eligibility/2012-2013PolicyBooklet.htm (or see “Need to Know” or “Eligibility” section on homepage)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, sample public release
- English and Spanish
Verification Information:
- Notification of direct certification prototype: http://portal.nysed.gov/portal/page/pref/CNKC/IntDocs/NOTIFICATION%20LETTER%20FOR%20DCMP%20meals-milk%2010-20-11.pdf
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov/programs/
Forms: http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov/free-reduced-school-meals/2011-12
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, notification of verification, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form
Back to table.
National School Lunch Homepage: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/snp/nslp/index.shtm
- Link to USDA eligibility manual (October 2011), guidance for administrators
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/snp/sbp/index.shtm
Forms: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/snp/tools/index.shtm
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, application, notification of direct certification, notification of approval/denial, notification of change in benefits, notification of verification, income eligibility guidelines
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEPrimary.aspx?page=2&TopicID=828&TopicRelationID=485
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial, sharing information form, sample flier, notification of verification, notification of direct certification,
- Link to USDA translations, materials for administrators
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://ok.gov/sde/node/20
Forms: http://ok.gov/sde/child-nutrition-documents (Under “Policy Statement/Attachments”)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, application, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, notification of verification, sample public release, income eligibility guidelines
- 2008 USDA eligibility manual, materials for administrators
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=207
Forms: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=3316
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial, sharing information form, notification of direct certification, online application instructions
- 2008 USDA eligibility manual
- English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese
Verification Forms: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=3315
Administrator Resources: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1997
Online Application: https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp/
- Parent/household letter precedes the application
- English and Spanish
Back to table.
School Lunch Homepage:
http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/national_school_lunch/7487
Online Application: https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/COMPASS.Web/CMHOM.aspx
- COMPASS allows households to apply for numerous benefits. Click “Apply for Benefits” on the left hand side and select “Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications” once in the system
- English and Spanish
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ride.ri.gov/Finance/Nutrition/
School Lunch Homepage: http://www.ride.ri.gov/Finance/Nutrition/national.aspx
Back to table.
Health and Nutrition Homepage: http://ed.sc.gov/agency/os/Health-and-Nutrition/
Forms: http://ed.sc.gov/agency/os/Health-and-Nutrition/documents/FoodServiceProgramManual2010rev043012.pdf (sample forms are found in section 3c of this document; this document is available on the above homepage)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instruction, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, notification of verification, sample public release
- Link to USDA translations (in section 4 of this document)
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://doe.sd.gov/cans/nslp.asp
Forms: http://doe.sd.gov/cans/nslp.asp (Click “Attachments” under “2011-12 NSLP/SBP Applications for Renewing Agencies”)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial
For verification forms, click “51.4 Verification Guidance of Application for Meal Benefits” or use this link: http://www.doe.sd.gov/cans/documents/NSLP_Verificationguidance.doc
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/support/nutrition.shtml
Back to table.
Food and Nutrition Homepage: http://www.squaremeals.org/
School Breakfast Program: http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/SchoolBreakfastProgram.aspx
School Lunch Program: http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram.aspx
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of direct certification, notification of approval/denial, notification of verification, other verification forms
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
Texas NSLP policies (updated for 2011-2012): http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPPolicyampARM.aspx
- Link to October 2011 USDA eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/
School Lunch Homepage: http://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/National-School-Lunch-Program.aspx
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/National-School-Breakfast-Program.aspx
Forms: http://www.schools.utah.gov/cnp/National-School-Lunch-Program/applications.aspx
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form, guide to children with special dietary needs
- English, Spanish, and link to USDA translations
- We reviewed Utah’s notification of verification, notification of approval/denial, and notification of direct certification in September 2011, but these forms are no longer online
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/pgm_nutrition/school_nutrition.html
Forms: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/pgm_nutrition/school_nutrition/program_info.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, notification of verification, notification of changes in benefits
- Link to USDA translations
- Link to October 2011 USDA eligibility manual
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/nutrition/programs/index.shtml
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/Programs/NSLBP/default.aspx
Forms: http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/Programs/NSLBP/default.aspx (Under “Resources”)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions (“What must be on the application?”), application, income eligibility guidelines
Policy memos: http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/Programs/NSLBP/Bulletins.aspx
Training materials on NSLP:
http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/Programs/NSLBP/TrainingMaterials.aspx
Back to table.
School Nutrition Homepage: http://wvde.state.wv.us/nutrition/snp.html
Forms: http://wvde.state.wv.us/ocn-download/Forms/NSLP/2012/FreeRed/
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, notice of approval/denial, income eligibility guidelines
Back to table.
School Meals Homepage: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/
School Lunch Homepage: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/nslp1.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/sbp1.html
Forms: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/fincou1.html
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, sharing information form, notification of verification, notification of approval/denial, notification of direct certification, income eligibility guidelines, sample public release, fair hearing procedures, policy memos for administrators
- English, Spanish, Hmong, and link to USDA translations
- October 2011 USDA Eligibility Manual
Back to table.
School Nutrition Homepage: http://edu.wyoming.gov/Programs/nutrition.aspx
School Lunch and Breakfast Homepage:
http://edu.wyoming.gov/Programs/nutrition/national_school_lunch_program.aspx
Forms: http://edu.wyoming.gov/Programs/nutrition/national_school_lunch_program.aspx (Under “Local Education Agency (LEA) Forms”)
- For school year 2011-2012
- Parent/household letter, instructions, application, income eligibility guidelines, sharing information form
- USDA tools for administrators, October 2011 USDA eligibility manual
Back to table.
End Notes
[1] Any adult in the household may complete an application on behalf of a child in the household. There is no requirement that the adult be a parent or legal guardian of the child. For the sake of brevity, this paper refers to the adult completing the application as the parent.
[2] Some children are automatically enrolled for free meals as a result of direct certification and no application is necessary. In addition, school officials are permitted to complete an application on behalf of a child if they have information indicating that the household is eligible. See 7 C.F.R § 245.6(d) and Food and Nutrition Service, Eligibility Manual for School Meals, USDA, October 2011, p. 27, www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/guidance/EliMan.pdf.
[3] See P.L. 111-296, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111s3307enr/pdf/BILLS-111s3307enr.pdf.
[4] See Zoë Neuberger and Abby Lane, A Unique Opportunity to Improve School Meals Applications, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, April 2011, https://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3479.
[5] The legal responsibility for developing applications and other household materials falls on local educational agencies (LEAs), although many states provide model materials or approve local forms. This paper uses the term “school district” to refer to local education agencies.
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