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2025-2026 School Year Income Verification Procedures

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2025-2026 School Year Income Verification Procedures

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School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) that are operating in the Base Year of Provision 2, in one or more schools, are required to select and verify a sample of their approved free and reduced-price meal applications on file as of October 1st by November 15th of this year. This process is called Income Verification and is a federal requirement that will ensure meal claims are based on accurate eligibility determinations.

This guidance manual contains important information on how to conduct Income Verification and includes template letters that should be used to correspond with families.

List of SFAs Required to Conduct Income Verification

SFAs that are required to conduct income verification are listed on the Income Verification website.

Verification Collection Report

All SFAs required to conduct income verification must complete and submit the Verification Collection Report on the Child Nutrition Management System (CNMS) by December 15, 2025.

SFAs operating the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or operating in a non-base year of Provision 2 SFA-wide are not required to conduct Income Verification or complete the Verification Collection Report.

Additional Resources

USDA Eligibility Manual for School Meals

USDA Verification Tool Kit

Income Verification & Verification Collection Report Snip-It

If you have any questions regarding Income Verification, please contact your Child Nutrition Program representative at 518-473-8781.

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Last updated
September 30, 2025

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

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