School Meal Programs Eligibility
SY2023 Application Approval and Direct Certification Webinar
This training covers the SY 2022-23 Iowa Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals/Milk, Direct Certification, E-Lookup, and Hawki. We show the changes that have taken place for the new year, where to find application materials; plus review the application approval process which includes information on ICAVES.
- Part 1 - Beginning the Process and Categorical Eligibility
- Part 2 - Categorical Eligibility (continued), Household Size and Income and RCCIs
- Part 3 - Recordkeeping, Confidentiality, Hawki and Verification
Professional Standard Certificate
Income Eligibility Guidelines
The current year School Meal Program Income Eligibility guidelines are for use after July 1 of each school year. The income guidelines are used when determining student’s eligibility.
The current School Meal Programs Eligibility documents are for use after July 1 for the coming school year. Application materials are to be distributed at or near the beginning of the school year. The documents can be accessed and downloaded from IowaCNP under Download Forms.
USDA Applications and Other Household Materials for Limited English Proficient Households
This link will take you to the USDA Applications and other household materials for Limited English Proficient Households. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has issued prototype materials in English and translated them into 49 languages which are available at the following link. These materials will assist Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) redesign household materials if there is a need.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/translated-applications
USDA Eligibility Manual for School Meals
This manual is intended to help State and local education agencies (LEAs) accurately determine, certify, and verify children’s eligibility for free and reduced price meals and milk.
Eligibility Manual for School Meals - Determining and Verifying Eligibility
Using Individual Free or Reduced Status Information Outside of the Meal Program - Q & As
Verification Information
USDA requires School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to verify 3% of the households that have applied for free or reduced price meal benefits.
All SFAs that operate the NSLP/SBP must complete the Verification Collection Report (VCR) in the IowaCNP system. RCCIs that are exempt from the verification process and SFAs that did not have any free or reduced price applications on file October 1 to verify must complete the Verification Collection Report (VCR) indicating “No Verification was Performed.”
Preparing To Do Verification Fall 2022
This training covers the purpose of verification, who must complete verification and the required timeline. The State Agency provided education on the sampling process and how to determine the required sample size. Covered the ICAVES verification section and the various forms used in the verification process are shown including the household notification forms. Highlights of the USDA Verification Collection Report (VCR) are presented.
Iowa Public & Non-Public Schools Verification Reporting Webinar
This webinar describes how to access the Verification Report on IowaCNP and the steps for completing each section of the report. In addition, instructions are provided on how to submit the report and what to do if you get an error or warning message. This webinar is specifically for Public and Non-public schools. Listening to this webinar is highly recommended for all public/non-public schools.
Iowa RCCI Verification Report Webinar
This webinar describes how to access the Verification Report on IowaCNP and the steps for completing each section of the report. In addition, instructions are provided on how to submit the report and what to do if you get an error or warning message. This webinar is specifically for Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs). Listening to this webinar is highly recommended for all RCCIs.
Hawk-i Information
Hawk-i is the State's medical insurance program for children. Public LEAs are required to report to hawk-i households who request the information. Nonpublic LEAs and Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs) are encouraged to report but are not required to report. The documents can be accessed and downloaded from IowaCNP under Download Forms.