Audit 380305

Failure to Update Student Lunch Eligibility U.S Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Cluster Condition: During the audit of the District's meal program, it was identified that a student's eligibility status was not updated from receiving reduced-price lunches to free lunches. This update should have occurred based on the Monthly Benefit Update Report for April 2025. Criteria: According to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines, eligibility status must be reviewed and updated monthly based on benefit reports. These updates ensure that students receive the appropriate level of assistance as determined by their household income and other qualifying factors. Cause: The failure to update the student's eligibility status was caused by the District missing the Monthly Benefit Update Report for April 2025. The report was either not generated or not properly reviewed by the responsible staff member, leading to the oversight. Effect: This represents a non-compliance with NSLP guidelines, potentially affecting the District's funding and audit compliance. Recommendation: To prevent similar issues in the future, it is recommended that the District implement a more robust process for monitoring and reviewing monthly benefit reports. This could include: 1. Establishing a checklist or calendar reminder system for key staff members to ensure timely review and action on monthly reports. 2. Providing additional training to staff on the importance of accurately updating student eligibility and the procedures involved. 3. Implementing a secondary review process where another staff member verifies that all necessary updates have been made each month. 4. Utilizing automated systems that flag discrepancies in eligibility status, prompting staff to conduct manual reviews when necessary. Management Response: There is no disagreement with the finding. Management recognizes the importance of maintaining accurate and current eligibility records to ensure compliance with Child Nutrition Program requirements.