Refer to Part 8 in the Eligibility Manual for School Meals

Verification Quick Tips

Refer to Part 8 in the Eligibility Manual for School Meals

Definitions:

Sample pool – the total number of applications approved as of October 1.

Sample size – the number of applications subject to verification (the number of applications that must be verified).

Facts:

·  You should calculate the number of applications to be verified on October 1. If you cannot calculate on October 1, you should pull the day before but never the day after.

·  Verification for cause cannot be included in the number of applications you have verified and reported on the verification report.

·  The National School Lunch Program uses 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for free eligibility.

·  Medicaid uses 133 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for eligibility.

·  The direct certification list contains the names of children who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. These children are categorically free. The eligibility does extend to other children in the household. These students are not subject to verification. These are reported on line 4-A.

·  Direct verification data will be available around October 5. The list contains the names of children who are entitled to Medicaid including the month of September. These children are verified free. The eligibility does not extend to other children in the family. Direct verification is optional, but we strongly encourage you to use it.

·  Foster children who have been confirmed by the foster care agency are to be reported on line 4-B.

Steps to follow:

1.  Enter data in Phase 1 in the CNP system to establish your sample size. The local educational agency may not pull more or less then the sample size that the system calculates in Phase 2. The deadline for this is October 15.

2.  Pull the number of applications in Phase 2.

3.  The official listed in block A29-F on the sponsor application should conduct the confirmation review.

4.  Cross-check the names on the selected applications against the direct verification list (optional). Matched names are changed to the free category and are counted as verified. Siblings on the applications must still be verified through the regular verification process.

5.  Send letters home to the families that have been selected for verification.

6.  Receive the documentation from families. Determine if the initial eligibility needs to be changed or left as it was originally determined.

7.  Make at least one follow-up attempt to contact families who have not responded to the initial verification letter.

8.  Inform families of the outcome of the verification. This is to be completed by no later than November 15.

9.  Enter the verification result in Phase 3. The deadline for this is November 30.