Skip to main content

Prior to conducting any verification activity, an individual other than the original reviewing official must review each approved application selected for verification to ensure that the initial determination was accurate. The confirmation review must be done by an individual other than the individual who made the initial eligibility determination. A confirmation review is not required if the SFA uses a technology-based system that demonstrates a high level of accuracy in processing an initial eligibility determination.  

If an SFA is using “eligibility determining” software, it is the SFA’s responsibility to ensure that the "eligibility determining" software conforms to USDA regulations.

Depending on the outcome of each confirmation review, the SFA must take one of the following actions:

No Change in Status
  • Verifies the application
Status Change From Reduced Price to Free
  • Make the increased benefits available immediately
  • Notify the Household of change in benefits
  • Verify the application
Status Change From Free to Reduced Price
  • Do not change the child’s status
  • Verify the application
  • Notify the household of the correct eligibility status after verification is completed and, if required, sends the household a notice of adverse action.
Status Change From Free or Reduced Price to Paid
  • Immediately send the household a notice of adverse action
  • Do not verify the application
  • Select a similar application (example- another error prone application) to verify
  • Begin the verification process with the newly selected application. The second reviewing official must review the application.
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.

Top