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.
- 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.
- Notification of Household Selection for School Meal Eligibility Verification (DOC)
Available translations of the Notification of Household Selection form. - Acceptable Verification Documentation (DOC)
Available translations of the Acceptable Verification Documentation form. - Verification by Employer or CalFresh/CalWORKs/FDPIR Office of Information Provided on Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (DOC)
- Letter of Verification Results - Termination of CalFresh/CalWORKs/FDPIR Benefits (DOC)
Available translations of the Letter of Verification Results: Benefits form. - Letter to CalFresh/CalWORKs/FDPIR Office from the District or Agency Regarding School Meal Applications Selected for Verification Process (DOC)
- Letter of Verification Results for School Meal Applications from Income Households (DOC)
Available translations of the Letter of Verification Results: Income form.
School Nutrition Program Verification Materials
- Verification Documentation of Households Applying for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (DOC)
- Verification List of CalFresh/CalWORKs/FDPIR Recipients for Multiple Applicants (DOC)
- Worksheet to Determine Verification Sample Size (DOC)
- Verification Results/Findings by Individual Student (DOC)
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.