# Applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and for Benefits in the Special Milk Program, and Technical Amendments
> **Food and Nutrition Service** · Final rule. · Published 2011-10-28 · Effective 2011-11-28 · 76 FR 66849
## Document
- **Document number:** 2011-27933
- **Category:** food-assistance
- **Sub-agency:** Food and Nutrition Service
- **Federal Register citation:** 76 FR 66849
- **CFR reference:** 7 CFR 210
- **Publication date:** 2011-10-28
- **Effective date:** 2011-11-28
- **USDA docket:** FNS-2007-0023
## Abstract

This rule finalizes changes to eligibility determinations for free and reduced price school meals to implement nondiscretionary provisions of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This rule also finalizes the following changes set forth in the interim rule published on November 13, 2007 (72 FR 63785)--addition of a statutory definition of "local educational agency," specification that a family only has to submit one application for all children in the household as long as they attend schools in the same local educational agency, and requirements to enhance descriptive materials distributed to families. This rule finalizes requirements for electronically-submitted applications, electronic signatures, and use and disclosure standards for such applications. This rule also finalizes year-long eligibility for free or reduced price school meals, unless the household chooses to decline a level of benefits. These changes are intended to provide children with increased access to the school nutrition programs by simplifying the certification process, streamlining program operations, and improving program management.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/10/28/2011-27933/applying-for-free-and-reduced-price-meals-in-the-national-school-lunch-program-and-school-breakfast)
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