Direct Verification
DATE: September 12, 2005
TO: Sponsors of School Nutrition Programs
FROM: Becky Leschner, Director
Food and Nutrition Service
SUBJECT: Direct Verification
“Direct Verification” is an optional process by which schools verifying school meal applications can send data from applications selected for verification to MDE for attempted verification with MN Department of Human Services (DHS) data.
In Minnesota, we are implementing direct verification for school year 2005-06 by creating a system for schools to upload data on categorically eligible (MFIP/Food Stamp) students from applications chosen for verification. Direct verification procedures for 2005-06:
- Direct verification procedures are optional for schools.
- For this first year of direct verification, the process will be limited to categorical eligibility (MFIP/Food Stamp) applications. (In future years, pending USDA guidance, direct verification of income applications may be added.)
- A fixed-field format (data on student name, case number, gender, DOB, SSN, etc.) specified by FNS will be required for uploading of direct verification data. Due to the deadline for completing all verification activities by November 15, 2005, schools participating in direct verification will need to upload student data by the first week of October.
- For any applications that are submitted for direct verification but not successfully verified at the state level, schools will need to complete the verification process at the local level with verification information from the household or local agency. FNS will communicate as quickly as possible about applications that have not been successfully verified with DHS data.
If your school is interested in participating in direct verification procedures this year, NOTIFY FNS BY SEPTEMBER 20 by contacting Joseph Lee at 651-582-8526, 800-366-8922, or e-mail to fns@state.mn.us.
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