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If, after at least one follow-up attempt, the household responds and provides all needed evidence, verification is considered complete for this household.

 The SFA would complete verification by:

  • Informing the household that there is no change in benefits;
  • Notifying the household that its benefits will be increased; or
  • Sending notice of adverse action

It is recommended that SFAs use the NYSED prototype letters of verification results (Attachments C, D & E) as these prototype letters contain all required information.

  • If verification results in higher benefits (e.g., a child who is moved from reduced price to free category), the change is effective immediately and must be implemented no later than 3 operating days.
  • All households for whom benefits are to be reduced or terminated as a result of verification must be given 10 calendar days advance written notice of the change.

Note: If a family’s benefits are reduced as a result of verification (e.g., because they failed to respond or did not submit sufficient information to substantiate their income) and during the school year the family re-applies, the SFA must verify the new application prior to the family being approved for benefits.  If the family refuses to provide the required information, free or reduced-price benefits must be denied.

Last updated
September 23, 2022

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Click here for Nondiscrimination Statement translations.

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