Overview
Within the School Meals Programs, free and reduced priced meals must be offered to qualifying students. School Food Authorities (SFAs) receive reimbursement for each reimbursable meal served to students. The reimbursement rate for each meal differs depending on a student's meal eligibility (free, reduced, or paid).
The Eligibility Manual for School Meals provides comprehensive information on the Federal requirements, policies, and procedures for establishing eligibility in USDA School Meals Programs.
Methods to qualify students for meal benefits:
Resources
- Notifications for Meal Eligibility and Verification In a Nutshell
- Special Situations in Determining Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility In a Nutshell (Spanish)
- Special Situations in Determining Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility Course
- Provision to Non-Provision Transfer Student Flow Chart
- Disclosure In a Nutshell
- Migrant Status and School Meal Eligibility In a Nutshell
State Agency Contacts (Other Source Categorical)
- Migrant Program Coordinators-A migratory student is someone who moves because they or their family are involved in seasonal agricultural work. Migratory students often move multiple times per year.
- Homeless Liaison Directory-The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youths as those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
- Out-of-Home Care (Foster)-A student living in out-of-home care means a student who has been placed in a residential setting outside of the student’s home by a county, state, or tribal child welfare agency.
Contacts
Alyssa Santana, RDN, CD
Nutrition Program Consultant
(608) 266-1046
Tanya Kirtz
Nutrition Program Consultant
(608) 266-2410
Ann Wiebelhaus