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

There is no cost to Maine public school districts that participate in the federal Child Nutrition Programs and would like to use the Web-based Meal Benefit Application.  Please reach out to the Administrative Assistant for more information.

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

Direct Certification

Direct certification is a process conducted by the states and by local educational agencies (LEAs) to certify eligible children for free meals without the need for household applications.

For Child Nutrition Purposes:

Child Nutrition regulations require 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 already captured on the direct certification list, that application should be kept on file in a folder of direct certified students/families. 

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 (USDA)
• Sharing Information Form (Optional) 

School Year 2025 Public School that are Non-Pricing

• Parent Letter for F/R Meals (for Public Schools)
• 2025 Meal Benefit Application and Instructions
• Eligibility Notification Letter (for Public Schools)
• Direct Certification Eligibility Notification Letter

School Year 2025 Private Schools that are Charging for  Meals

• Parent Letter for F/R Meals (for Private Schools)
• 2025 Meal Benefit Application and Instructions
• Eligibility Notification Letter (for Private Schools)
• Direct Certification Eligibility Notification Letter

School Year 2024 Public School that are Non-Pricing

• Parent Letter for F/R Meals (for Public Schools)
• 2024 Meal Benefit Application and Instructions
• Eligibility Notification Letter (for Public Schools)
• Direct Certification Eligibility Notification Letter

School Year 2024 Private Schools that are Charging for  Meals

• Parent Letter for F/R Meals (for Private Schools)
• 2024 Meal Benefit Application and Instructions
• Eligibility Notification Letter (for Private Schools)
• Direct Certification Eligibility Notification Letter

Special Milk Program 

School Year 2025

• 2025 Application for Free Milk with Instructions
• Parent Letter for Free Milk
• Eligibility Notification Letter Special Milk Program

School Year 2024

• Application for Free Milk
• Parent Letter for Free Milk
• Instructions for completing the SY2024 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.

• SY2025 Verification Training 
• SY2025 Verification Training (PDF)
• 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