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​USDA COVID-19 Child Nutrition Waiver Chart for Child Nutrition Programs

COVID-19 Nationwide Waiver
Subject
Waiver Purpose Waiver Guidelines SNP SFSP CACFP
Most Recent Waiver and Extension with Expiration

To Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility

This waiver eliminates the regulation for amount of time between meal service, and the duration of meal time for all CNPs, with consideration to the public health emergency.

Waiving meal service time requirements will support safer access to nutritious meals. Sponsors are responsible for ensuring program accountability and integrity, preventing duplication of meal service options, and ensuring meal service does not exceed maximum allowable meals per Program. Only meal and/or snack types approved in PEARS are eligible to be claimed for reimbursement.

NSLP
SBP
ASP
SSO

SFSPAll Programs

NSLP, SBP, ASP
#34
SSO #66
SFSP #66
CACFP #34
6/30/2021

To Allow Non-Congregate Feeding

Meals do not have to be served in a congregate (group) setting and may be consumed by participants off site for all CNPs, with consideration to the public health emergency.

Meal counts must be maintained according to Program requirements for each approved meal type and day of operation. Meals must be counted for on day of intended consumption. Meals may be distributed for one day or more, known as bundled meals. Up to 5 days/week may be bundled for children in the family, for consumption off premise for all Program types. CACFP operators must obtain pre-approval from PDE DFN prior to being reimbursed for non-congregate meals served for all CACFPs. CACFP Non-Congregate Meal Form for Alternate Meal Service is available on PEARS Download Forms - Coronavirus (COVID-19) section. Sponsors are responsible for ensuring Program accountability and integrity, preventing duplication of meal service options, and ensuring meal service does not exceed maximum allowable meals per Program. Only meal and/or snack types approved in PEARS are eligible to be claimed for reimbursement. Meal service may not exceed maximum allowable meals per Program. Meal limits per day: NSLP - Breakfast and Lunch; SSO and SFSP - 2 meals (not lunch and supper) or 1 meal and 1 snack; CACFP - 2 Meals and 1 Snack or 1 Meal and 1 Snacks except for At Risk - 1 Meal (Supper) and 1 Snack.

NSLP
SBP
ASP
SSO

SFSP

All Programs Pre-approval required

NSLP, SBP, ASP
#33
SSO #61
SFSP #61
CACFP #33
6/30/2021

Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Non-Congregate Meals

During the public health emergency, meals may be picked up by parents and guardians to take home to their children.

Meals may be distributed for one day or more, known as bundled meals. Up to 5 days/week may be bundled for children in the family, for consumption off premise for all Program types. Bundled meals must be counted for on day of intended consumption. If utilizing this waiver, Sponsor must have a plan to protect Program integrity and accountability by ensuring meals are only being provided for individuals eligible for the Program. This plan does not need to be submitted to PDE, DFN, but must be available upon request. Only meal and/or snack types approved in PEARS are eligible to be claimed for reimbursement. Meal service may not exceed maximum allowable meals per Program. For CACFP, this waiver may only be utilized after approval is obtained by PDE, DFN using CACFP Non-Congregate Meal Form for Alternate Meal Service which is available on PEARS Download Forms-Coronavirus (COVID-19) section. Meal limits per day: NSLP - Breakfast and Lunch; SSO and SFSP - 2 meals (not lunch and supper) or 1 meal and 1 snack; CACFP - 2 Meals and 1 Snack or 1 Meal and 1 Snacks except for At Risk - 1 Meal (Supper) and 1 Snack.

NSLP
SBP
SO

SFSP

All Programs Pre-approval required

NSLP, SBP
#35
SSO #62
SFSP #62
CACFP #35
6/30/2021

Allow Non- Congregate Meal Delivery with Household AuthorizationAllows Program meals to be delivered to eligible Program participants when there is a justifiable need and targeted approach for reasons such as, but not limited to, non- congregate meal service is not safe or efficient or accessible for children. Pre- approval required for all Programs.Sponsors must obtain PDE, DFN approval and must provide justifiable need and targeted approach for reasons such as, but not limited to, non-congregate meal service is not safe or efficient or accessible for children to utilize this waiver. Request to obtain pre-approval to deliver meals is available on PEARS Download Forms, COVID-19 section. Written household consent and delivery address confirmation must be obtained prior to meal delivery service. Meals may be distributed for one day or more, known as bundled meals. Up to 5 days/week may be bundled. Only meal and/or snack types approved in PEARS are eligible to be claimed for reimbursement. Meals must be counted for on day of intended consumption. If utilizing this waiver, sponsor must have a plan to protect Program integrity and accountability by ensuring meals are only being provided for individuals eligible for the Program. This plan does not need to be submitted to PDE, DFN, but must be available upon request. CACFP At Risk meals may not be delivered as the participants are not required to enroll and written household consent can not be obtained as required to ensure purpose of Program. Meal service may not exceed maximum allowable meals per Program. Meal limits per day: NSLP - Breakfast and Lunch; SSO and SFSP - 2 meals (not lunch and supper) or 1 meal and 1 snack; CACFP - 2 Meals and 1 Snack or 1 Meal and 1 Snacks except for At Risk - 1 Meal (Supper) and 1 Snack.

NSLP SBP
SSO
Pre-approval required

SFSP Pre-approval required

All Programs with the Exception of AT RISK
Pre-approval required

USDA Q&A #2 NSLP SBP CACFP 6/30/2021 SSO #62
SFSP #62 6/30/2021

Allow Meal Pattern FlexibilityProvides Program operators the opportunity to flexibility in meal pattern service if nutrition guidelines can not be met based on disruption of availability of products due to this public health emergency. Program operators can request flexibility for specific meal components. Program operators must maintain and meet nutrition standards to the greatest extent possible. Pre-approval required for all Programs.Completed waiver by Program operator and approval by PDE, DFN is required to be considered for Meal Pattern Flexibility. Waivers will be reviewed by PDE, DFN on a case by case basis and be granted based on consideration of targeted and justified inability to procure products on an individual basis. Meals served that do not meet the meal pattern are not eligible for reimbursement until a waiver is approved and Program operator is notified. Waiver is available in PEARS Download Forms - Coronavirus (COVID-19). Technical assistance is available for all Program operators from PDE, DFN.

NSLP SBP ASP SSO
Pre- approval required

SFSP Pre-approval required

All Programs Pre-approval required

NSLP SBP ASP SSO #70
CACFP #70
SFSP #70 6/30/2021

Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibility for Senior High SchoolsIn Senior High Schools' NSLP, where Offer vs Serve meal service is a requirement, this waiver allows participants to be served all components to support safe access to nutritious meals.Senior High School Lunch Meals Only.NSLP  SNP #37 6/30/2021
Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in Summer Food Service ProgramSFSP may provide Offer vs Serve meal based on the ability to follow SFSP OVS meal service parameters in entirety.SFSP Meal Service parameters must be followed in entirety and may be found in USDA COVID-19: Child Response #16 Original, #51 Extension 1, and #67 Extension 2, available on PEARS Download Forms, Coronavirus (COVID19) section. When used in non-congregate setting, must be done with thoughtful and thorough planning and execution. SFSP 

SSO #67
SFSP #67 6/30/2021

Activity Requirement in AfterschoolSchool Nutrition Program Afterschool Snack Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program At Risk Program must provide an enrichment or educational component for all participants.As of School Year and Program Year 2020-2021, enrichment or educational activity must be included in ASP and At Risk to be eligible to claim reimbursements but may be virtual or provided with non-congregate meals.ASP At Risk

ASP, At Risk PDE Memo 9/18/2020
referencing USDA FNS 9/11/2020
Memo Code: SP 25-2020
CACFP 14-2020
SFSP 14-2020

Onsite Sponsor Monitoring Requirements Child and Adult Care Food ProgramAllows for all monitoring to be offsite to minimize potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). One review must be conducted for each new facility during first four weeks of operation but may review as a desk audit.Waives the requirement of three reviews per Program year. Sponsors may conduct two reviews per year, with one being unannounced; unannounced monitoring of observation of meal service and not more than six months between reviews is waived. All onsite monitoring is waived. Program integrity must be ensured during public health emergency to the greatest extent possible.  All Programs

CACFP #39 9/30/2021 PDE MEMO 8/14/2020
Revision of PDE Memo 4/1/2020

Onsite Sponsor Monitoring Requirements School Nutrition ProgramsSchool Food Authorities must ensure Program integrity through desk audits to the maximum extent practicable. PDE, DFN may extend Administrative Reviews scheduled for SY 2019- 2020 to SY 2020-2021 if review cannot be completed due to public health emergency unanticipated closure.PDE, DFN may request an extension from USDA FNS of the current Administrative Review cycle to accommodate unanticipated school closings due to public health emergency. In addition, the requirement of onsite monitoring of school meals in the same school year of the Administrative Review may be waived by PDE, DFN. PDE, DFN will notify Program operators of significant changes and updates. To ensure Program integrity offsite monitoring and desk audits must continue by Program operators. Prior to COVID, PDE, DFN already had a waiver to allow for a five year Administrative Review cycle and will continue to use that waiver for schools that remain in NSLP.NSLP SBP  SNP #41 6/30/2021
Onsite Sponsor Monitoring/ Waiver First Week Site Visits Summer Food Service ProgramOnsite visits within the first week and onsite reviews during first four weeks of operation is waived in response to public health emergency.The First Week Site Visit is waived for sites that operated successfully in the previous year and sponsor that successfully participate in the CACFP and NSLP. Onsite visits within the first week and onsite reviews during first four weeks of operation is waived. To ensure Program integrity, Program operators should perform offsite monitoring and desk audits. SFSP SFSP #65 6/30/2021
Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option ExtensionSummer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option may continue operations due to public health emergency.Allowing operation of SFSP and SSO facilitates the safe provision of meals by eliminating the need to collect meal payments, facilitates speed of service, and curbside meal service there by reducing contact and potential exposure to COVID-19.SSOSFSP 

SSO #59
SFSP #59 6/30/2021

Allow   Reimbursements for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Flexibility for Pre- Approval VisitsThis waiver allows reimbursements for meals served prior to notification of approval and provide flexibility for pre-approval visits. In addition, pre-approval visits by PDE, DFN are waived.PDE, DFN may reimburse SFSP and SSO for meals served prior to the Sponsor receiving written notification that the sponsor or site have been approved for participation in the Program. If PDE, DFN does not approve the Sponsor's application to participate in SFSP or SSO, the meals that the denied sponsor served are not eligible for reimbursement. This waiver is retroactive to the first day of school, for approved SFSP sponsors for allowable meals served during initial response to public health emergency through August 30, 2020. There is a priority approval system to ensure avoidance of duplication of services within SFSP and SSO along with considering resources and capabilities of each applicant. SFA's are given the highest priority. Non-SFAs must have discussion and agreement with their local SFAs that there is a gap in meal service that the non-SFA can fill. That communication must then be submitted to PDE in writing before the non-SFA will be approved to serve meals.SSOSFSP 

SSO #69
SFSP #69 6/30/2021

Area Eligibility Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Closed Enrolled SitesThe requirement to collect income eligibility applications to determine if 50% of participants at closed enrolled sites would be eligible for free or reduced priced meals is waived.The requirement to collect income eligibility applications to determine if 50% of participants at closed enrolled sites would be eligible for free or reduced priced meals is waived. Area Eligibility guidelines may be the determining factor for closed enrolled SFSP and SSO sites.SSOSFSP 

SSO #64
SFSP #64 6/30/2021

Area Eligibility Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer OptionThis waiver allows Program operators to provide meals to all participants in a safe and accessible manner while utilizing a variety of education models during this public health emergency.This waiver allows for the continuation of SFSP and SSO at sites that are not located in "areas in which poor economic conditions exist" during the public health emergency of COVID-19 using local economic data to determine need. This allows for modified meals service models while ensuring safety and flexibility in changing education models.SSOSFSP 

SSO #60
SFSP #60 6/30/2021