Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program Impacts on Program Access and Integrity

About 61 percent of school districts used direct certification in the NSLP in the 2001-02 school year, the same share as in 1996. Direct certification increased the number of children certified for free meals by about 400,000 and slightly increased overall NSLP participation. Under direct certification, school districts use information from state welfare or food stamp offices to certify children to receive free meals. To qualify, children's families must receive food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or assistance from the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and do not have to complete certification applications.