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SNP Verification Materials

Verification Process

Verification is the annual, mandatory process that confirms the eligibility of a sample of completed household meal eligibility applications in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Each Local Educational Agency (LEA) must select and verify a sample of applications approved for free and reduced-price meal benefits. The required sample size of applications to be verified is based on the number of approved applications on file on October 1. Each LEA must complete verification of the minimum required sample size by November 15. The verification process must substantiate eligibility based on monthly income or current participation in the CalFresh (formerly Food Stamp) Program, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Districts may use the Worksheet to Determine Verification Sample Size (DOC) and Verification Results/Findings by Individual Student (DOC) to meet the requirements of federal Administrative Reviews (AR).

LEAs operating Universal Meals must still complete the verification process if they are using standard meal counting and claiming procedures.

In January of each year, all LEAs must submit a Verification Report. See Verification Reporting on the School Nutrition Programs Verification Reporting web page for information on the annual verification report.

Verification process forms may be downloaded as one complete file or individually.

Verification Packet

Training Videos

  • The Verification Process
    • In this video, participants will learn about the verification process, how to conduct verification, what an error prone applications is, the definition of verification for cause, verification sample sizes, and how to conduct verification follow-up.
  • Verification Reporting
    • In this video, participants will learn how to complete the verification report in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System.

Individual Forms

Documents to send to the Household

For LEAs operating Universal Meals, verification letter templates are located in the Download Forms section of the California Nutrition Information and Payment System, Form IDs Verification – 01, 02, and 03. These templates tell households that, regardless of the result of the verification process, all students will still have access to free meals at their school.

School Nutrition Program Verification Materials

USDA Verification Materials

Contact Information

If you have questions about the verification process, please contact your School Nutrition Programs (SNP) Unit Specialist by phone at 800-952-5609.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Related Content
  • School Nutrition
    Meal and milk programs offered at public and private non-profit schools and residential child care institutions.
  • School Nutrition Programs Eligibility
    Each school year, local educational agencies must determine and certify a student’s eligibility to qualify for free and reduced-price meals or free milk benefits.
  • Verification Reporting
    Instructions for local educational agencies (LEAs) on submitting the verification collection report through the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) using the verification report function.
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