Information Memo: Direct Certification/Verification for Child Nutrition Programs Administered by the IL State Board of Education

Summary:

DHS is changing the way in which it provides verification of children who receive TANF and/or Food Stamp benefits for purposes of directly certifying eligibility for the Federal Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). These include the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.
Form 4712, Child Nutrition Programs, is obsolete and will no longer be sent annually to DHS clients who have children eligible for the programs.
Children whose names are matched in an electronic file will be directly certified for CNP benefits without having to provide the school with Child Nutrition Programs (Form 4712) or complete a paper application for those program benefits.
FCRCs should experience a decrease in the number of paper verifications requested from State school districts and various schools.
It is anticipated that the monthly match will simplify the CNP application process and increase CNP participation.