Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

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).

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
School Nutrition Program Verification Materials

USDA Verification Materials

Whom do we contact if we have questions?

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

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Friday, March 6, 2020
Share this Page
Share via Email icon Share with Twitter icon Share with Facebook icon Share with LinkedIn icon Share via Link icon
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 education agencies (LEAs) on submitting the verification collection report through the Child Nutrition and Information Payment System (CNIPS) using the verification report function.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • 2021 Taste of CA Challenge Grant Recipients (added 03-May-2021)
    The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division awarded 20 Taste of California Standardized Recipe Challenge Grantees.
  • Meal Programs (updated 29-Apr-2021)
    CalEdFacts on the Child Nutrition Program meal programs.
  • CACFP Resources for Crediting Grains as Oz Eq (added 27-Apr-2021)
    Announcement of California Department of Education resources to provide guidance to Child and Adult Care Food Program Operators on crediting grains as ounce equivalents.
  • CA LSWP Webinar: SNPs and Student Mental Health (added 27-Apr-2021)
    The California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative is hosting Winning at Wellness webinars every two months to provide an opportunity for schools to discuss updates in local school wellness policy requirements, best practices and resources.
  • COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #83 (added 23-Apr-2021)
    This waiver allows sponsors that successfully participated in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, but did not operate in 2020, due to COVID-19, to operate as experienced sponsors in FY 2021.

  • COVID-19 Response Nationwide Waivers SY 21-22 (added 23-Apr-2021)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has released COVID-19 Response Nationwide Waivers for school year 2021-2022.
  • Creating Brave Spaces in Early Childhood Webinars (added 23-Apr-2021)
    Creating Brave Spaces in Early Childhood Webinar Series, with Superintendent Tony Thurmond, discusses research on racial bias and its disproportionate effect on children of color.
  • Reimbursement for Emergency Shelters (added 20-Apr-2021)
    Reimbursement for Emergency Shelters during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for CACFP meals served to young adults.
  • Farm to Summer Celebration Week (added 20-Apr-2021)
    Information about California’s Farm to Summer Celebration Week for summer meal program operators, including background, activities, trainings, partners, resources, awardees, and contact information.
  • Proposition 12 FAQs for Stakeholders (added 19-Apr-2021)
    The CDE NSD is sharing the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s newly posted Frequently Asked Questions related to Proposition 12, the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative which effects raw egg and pork products received in California.