However, households may voluntarily report a change. If a change is reported that will increase benefits, the SFA must put that change into effect. Please see the USDA Eligibility Manual for School for additional information. Notification of Eligibility: Households must be notified, either in writing or verbally, of their child’s approved free or reduced eligibility status within 10 operating days of receipt of the application. The SFA may e-mail the notification of the household’s approval for meal benefits to the adult household member who signed the application. Notification to Households Denied Benefits Households with children who are denied benefits must be provided with prompt written notification of the denial. The notification may be provided by mail or e-mail to the adult household member who signed the application. Posting the denial on the page of an online system does not meet this requirement. Likewise, informing the “notification” household of denial via telephone does not meet this requirement. The denial notification must advise the household of: Reason for denial of benefits; Right to appeal; Instructions on how to appeal; and Ability to for free and reduced price benefits at any time during the school year Notification of Eligibility Established through Direct Certification The SFA must notify the household about eligibility established through direct certification. The notification must include the following information: The child is eligible for free benefits; No further application is necessary; An explanation of extended eligibility and how to notify the SFA of any additional children in the household not listed on the notification; and How to notify the SFA if free benefits for directly certified children are not wanted This notification must also be provided to households with children directly certified through the letter method or through contacts with officials, such as the SFA’s homeless liaison or a foster care agency. *Note- Prototype notification letters that include all required information and should be use are included in this booklet. Special Situations: Military Benefits: For non-deployed service members, income includes benefits paid directly to the service member, such as food and clothing allowances. Income also includes housing allowances for households living off-base in the general commercial or private real estate market.
However, households may voluntarily report a change. If a change is reported that will increase benefits, the SFA must put that change into effect. Please see the USDA Eligibility Manual for School for additional information. Notification of Eligibility: Households must be notified, either in writing or verbally, of their child’s approved free or reduced eligibility status within 10 operating days of receipt of the application. The SFA may e-mail the notification of the household’s approval for meal benefits to the adult household member who signed the application. Notification to Households Denied Benefits Households with children who are denied benefits must be provided with prompt written notification of the denial. The notification may be provided by mail or e-mail to the adult household member who signed the application. Posting the denial on the “notification” page of an online system does not meet this requirement. Likewise, informing the household of denial via telephone does not meet this requirement. The denial notification must advise the household of: Reason for denial of benefits; Right to appeal; Instructions on how to appeal; and Ability to for free and reduced price benefits at any time during the school year Notification of Eligibility Established through Direct Certification The SFA must notify the household about eligibility established through direct certification. The notification must include the following information: The child is eligible for free benefits; No further application is necessary; An explanation of extended eligibility and how to notify the SFA of any additional children in the household not listed on the notification; and How to notify the SFA if free benefits for directly certified children are not wanted This notification must also be provided to households with children directly certified through the letter method or through contacts with officials, such as the SFA’s homeless liaison or a foster care agency. *Note- Prototype notification letters that include all required information and should be use are included in this booklet. Special Situations: Military Benefits: For non-deployed service members, income includes benefits paid directly to the service member, such as food and clothing allowances. Income also includes housing allowances for households living off-base in the general commercial or private real estate market.