Community Eligibility Provision
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provides local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in low-income areas with an alternative approach for operating school meal programs. Instead of collecting individual applications for free and reduced-price meals, CEP allows LEAs and schools meeting the eligibility requirements to use information from other means-tested programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families (TANF). The level of participation in these programs determines the level of federal funding for the school meal programs. Eligible schools must pay the difference between the level of financial resources allowed by law and the total cost of operating the programs. CEP reduces the administrative burden for schools and allows them to offer free meals to all children.
For Title I, Part A-related questions or additional information, please contact the Federal Program Compliance Division at ESSASupport@tea.texas.gov.
For additional information or assistance with CEP questions, contact the Texas Department of Agriculture as follows: 877-TEX-MEALS or via email Squaremeals@TexasAgriculture.gov.