Provisions: Claiming Alternatives

Provision 1

Provision 1 reduces application burdens by allowing schools where at least 80 percent of the children enrolled are eligible for free or reduced-price meals to certify children eligible for free meals for a two year period. All other households must be provided a meal application and are allowed to apply for meal benefits each school year. Schools continue to take daily meal counts of the number of meals served to children by type as the basis for calculating reimbursement claims.

Guidance

Federal Regulations: Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations section 245.9, Special assistance certification and reimbursement alternatives

USDA School Meals Web page: Provisions 1, 2, and 3

Forms

Policy Statement Addendum -- Provision 1, 2, and 3 Implementation Request and/or Delayed Implementation Request (SNP-13)

This form is used to apply for Provision 1 and amend certain policies and procedures to reflect current practices for schools requesting to participate in Provision 1.

Schools must apply to participate in Provision 1 no later than June 30th prior to the school year in which they are requesting to participate, and receive CDE approval prior to the beginning of the school year.

Provision 2

Provision 2 requires that the school serve meals to participating children at no charge but reduces application burdens to once every four years. It also simplifies meal counting and claiming procedures by allowing a school to receive meal reimbursement based on claiming percentages. Additional four-year extensions of Provision 2 are possible when certain conditions are met.

Manuals

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Manual: Provision 2 Guidance: National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

Guidance

Federal Regulations: Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations section 245.9, Special assistance certification and reimbursement alternatives

USDA School Meals Web page: Provisions 1, 2, and 3

Provision 2 Training Video

Provision 2 Training Video
The Provision 2 Training Video provides guidance about the important basics and benefits of Provision 2, as well as what is required of the LEA, throughout the entire Provision 2 process. LEA's applying to participate in Provision 2 must watch the training video and obtain the Certification of Completion no later that June 30th prior to the school year in which they are requesting to participate.

Forms

Policy Statement Addendum --Provision 2 Implementation - New Cycle (SNP-13)

This form is used to apply for Provision 2 and amend certain provisions and procedures to reflect current practices for schools requesting to participate in Provision 2.

Schools must apply to participate in Provision 2 no later than June 30th prior to the school year in which they are requesting to participate, and receive CDE approval prior to the beginning of the base year.

Provision 2 Calculation Guide (SNP-16)

This guide contains examples of how to calculate monthly, annual, and district-wide claiming percentages.

Provision 2 Claiming Calculation Worksheet (SNP-17)

This form assists schools in tracking monthly percentages from the base year forward to the end of the Provision 2 cycle.

Extension Request – Claiming Alternatives, Provision 2 (SNP-15a)

This form is used for schools with an expiring Provision 2 cycle to request an extension.

Provision 2 cycle renewals are not automatic. The district must inform the CDE if the school wishes to continue participating in Provision 2 or revert to standard meal counting and claiming procedures. This form, along with SNP-15b, must be submitted no later than June 30th of the expiring year, and be approved by the CDE prior to the start of the new school year.

Provision 2 or 3 Extension Worksheet Using Direct Certification or Meal Applications (SNP-15b)

This form must be submitted with the SNP-15a Extension Request, and is used for schools using Direct Certification or Meal Applications as the socio-economic data to request an extension.

Student level data used to support this document must be retained and available for inspection during the Administrative Review.

Streamlined Base Year Request – Provision 2 (SNP-14)

This form is used for schools that applied for, and did not receive, an extension to Provision 2. Instead of completing procedures for a new base year, in a streamlined base year the school determines program eligibility for a statistically valid sample of either: (1) all enrolled students with access to applicable meal program as of October 31 (enrollment-based), or (2) enrolled students participating in the applicable meal program (participation-based). All children must be offered meals at no charge during a streamlined base year.

The school must meet the minimum requirements for use of a streamlined base year, and the CDE has the option to approve or deny use of the streamlined base year option.

Provision 3

Provision 3 requires that the school serve meals to participating children at no charge but reduces application burdens and meal counting and claiming procedures. The Provision 3 base year immediately precedes, and is not included in, the four-year cycle.

Adjustments may be made to meals claimed based on enrollment, inflation, and operating days. Base year meals can be served at no charge or charged based on eligibility. Meals served during the four-year cycle are served to all students at no cost. Additional four-year extensions of Provision 3 are possible when certain conditions are met.

Guidance

Federal Regulations: Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations section 245.9, Special assistance certification and reimbursement alternatives

USDA School Meals Web page: Provisions 1, 2, and 3

Forms

Policy Statement Addendum – Provision 1, 2, and 3 Implementation Request and/or Delayed Implementation Request (SNP-13)

This form is used to apply for Provision 3 and amend certain policies and procedures to reflect current practices for schools requesting to participate in Provision 3.

Schools must apply to participate in Provision 3 no later than June 30th prior to the school year in which they are requesting to participate, and receive CDE approval prior to the beginning of the base year.

Extension Request – Claiming Alternatives, Provision 3 (SNP-15a)

This form is used for schools with an expiring Provision 3 cycle to request an extension.

Provision 3 cycle renewals are not automatic. The district must inform the CDE if the school wishes to continue participating in Provision 3 or revert to standard meal counting and claiming procedures. This form, along with SNP-15b, must be submitted no later than June 30th of the expiring year, and approved by the CDE prior to the start of the new school year.

Provision 2 or 3 Extension Worksheet Using Direct Certification or Meal Applications (SNP-15b)

This form must be submitted with the SNP-15a Extension Request, and is used for schools using Direct Certification or Meal Applications as the socio-economic data to request an extension.

Student level data used to support this document must be retained and available for inspection during the Administrative Review.