Student Eligibility & Applications

If you have questions regarding Student Eligibility and Applications, please contact a member of the Child Nutrition staff. 

Web-Based Meal Benefit Application

Maine DOE has extended their partnership with Nutri-Link Technologies, Inc, to provide an online meal benefit application through school year 2022.  There is no cost to Maine public school districts that participate in the federal Child Nutrition Programs.  For more information, email paula.nadeau@maine.gov.

A review of traditional NSLP (15:00) 3/3/22
A review of traditional NSLP (pdf)

SY2024 Severe Need Guidance

Direct Certification

The law requires every school district to review the direct certification list at least three times during the school year. The Department suggest at the beginning of each quarter. Direct certification is the FIRST method to approve a student's eligibility with no application or other documentation. When a student submits an application and is on the direct certification list, that application should be filed in a folder of direct certified students/families. Maine currently is below the national benchmark of directly certified students. A report of percent of students directly certified on the list is available on the web. This information is from data submitted by each district to DOE.

Direct Certification Notification Letter 

Free and Reduced Applications

Federal Meal Reimbursement Rates and Eligibility Guidelines -Current and previous years reimbursement rates, eligibility guidelines, and USDA food rates as well as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

Translated Applications (link to USDA)
Sharing Information Form (optional) 

School Year 2023 Public School that are Non-Pricing

Parent Letter for F/R Meals (for Public Schools)
Application for Free & Reduced Meals
Instructions for Completing the SY 2023 Application
Eligibility Notification Letter (for Public Schools)
Maine DOE Meal Benefit Application Promotion Letter (pdf)
Economic Status Promotion Letter for CEP Districts

School Year 2023 Private Schools that are Charging for Paid Meals

Parent Letter for F/R Meals (for Private Schools)
Application for Free & Reduced Meals
Instructions for Completing the SY 2023 Application
Eligibility Notification Letter (for Private Schools)
Maine DOE Meal Benefit Application Promotion Letter (pdf)
Economic Status Promotion Letter for CEP Districts

Special Milk Program 

School Year 2023
Application for Free Milk
Parent Letter for Free Milk
Instructions for completing the SY2023 Application
Eligibility Notification Letter Special Milk Program

Verification

Verification is a confirmation of a percent of eligibility for free and reduced price applications under the National School Lunch Program or Breakfast Program. It must include either confirmation of income eligibility or confirmation that the child is included in a currently certified food stamp household or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) unit. At State or local discretion, it may also include confirmation of any other information on the application, which is required as a condition of eligibility.

Additional questions for SY23 Verification - Additional information is needed from each District about Special Provisions and Directly Certified students. These questions were part of the Verification report before CNPWeb. 

SY2023 Verification Training (48:00)

Verification Quick Reference Guide

District SFA ID Codes
FNS 742 Report - Schools
General requirements
Verification Notification and Tracking Forms (fillable forms)
Verification Procedure for Late Reports

Resources 

Eligibility Manual for School Meals -  Determining and Verifying Eligibility 
Maine Eligibility Quick Guide