Student Eligibility & Applications

Web-Based Meal Benefit Application

We will soon be offering the option for Districts to use an online web-based Meal Benefit Application which can be shared with parents.  It must be in place by October 1, 2019 and procedures and requirements are currently being developed.  This is an option not a requirement, therefore current methods do not have to change. 

School Food Service Reports including School Meals Program, Food Distribution and Summer Food

 

Direct Certification

The law now 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.

 

Free and Reduced Applications

SCHOOL YEAR 2020:

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.

 

 

Webinars

For assistance or questions with verification reports or requirements, contact the Department's Child Nutrition Specialist David Hartley at david.hartley@maine.gov or 624-6878.