Ensuring Proper Benefits for Students in School Meal Programs

• Published in: Journal of Child Nutrition & Management Vol. 46; no. 2
• Main Authors: Rosen, Roline Milfort, Taylor, Jeffrey, Baier, Kevin, May, Laurie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: School Nutrition Association 2022
• Subjects: Barriers; Breakfast Programs; Child Health; Disclosure; Elementary Secondary Education; Eligibility; Error Patterns; Family Characteristics; Family Income; Federal Legislation; Lunch Programs; Nutrition; Socioeconomic Status

Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine and discuss common challenges associated with obtaining the correct school meal benefits level from the National School Lunch and School Breakfast program application process. The findings provide insights and policy recommendations for improving school meal processes and reducing the number of students receiving an incorrect benefit level. Methods: Nationally representative samples of schools and students were selected using a multistage stratified probability sampling design. Collected from the sample were: (1) a household survey to assess school meal benefit eligibility, (2) physical copies of household meal benefit applications, and (3) interviews of subsampled households and school food authority (SFA) directors about the application and certification process. Information was compared from the surveys, applications, and SFA student eligibility statuses for meal reimbursements to determine if students received the correct benefit level. Regression models were used to investigate associations with incorrect benefit level; and, inductive theory was used for analyzing the interviews. Results: Twenty percent (20%) of eligible households received incorrect school meal benefits. Issues with income reporting on applications and proper documentation most commonly caused incorrect benefits. The interviews revealed many households had difficulty understanding how to report income and household members. Higher-income households were significantly more likely to receive incorrect benefits, providing further evidence that incomplete income reporting on applications was a significant source of error. SFAs that accepted online applications via a vendor website had fewer administrative errors than other SFAs. Application to Child Nutrition Professionals: Child nutrition policymakers are seeking ways to improve the household application and increase information integration to reduce the burdens and costs of determining school meal benefits and the number of households receiving incorrect benefits. Online applications and applications that simplify the process of reporting income could significantly reduce errors.