Finding Text
2023-002 – Child Nutrition Cluster – Special Tests and Provisions - Verification
Criteria or specific requirement
By November 15th of each school year, Districts must verify the current free and reduced price eligibility of households selected from a sample of applications that they have approved for free and reduced price meals.
Condition
Of the six households selected for testing of verification compliance, two were found to have been incorrectly calculated as being eligible for reduced price meals.
Context
Based upon their application, one household was initially eligible for free meals, but, due to verification procedures, it was determined that they would need to be moved to reduced price meals. The other household’s application determined that they were eligible for reduced price meals, and the verification procedures supported that determination. However, testing revealed that both should have been moved to paid status. Reduced price meals received by the two households during the year amounted to $1,191. Total estimated questioned costs amount to $1,787.
Cause
Errors were made during the calculation of household income.
Effect
Two households received reduced price meals during the school year when they should have paid for those meals.
Recommendation
We recommend that the District review its controls related to verification in order to ensure that only eligible households receive free or reduced price meals.
Views of responsible officials
See Corrective Action Plan.