• SNAP/Food Stamps
  • Disaster SNAP/Food Stamps
  • SNAP/Food Stamp Challenges
  • SNAP/Food Stamp Eligibility
  • Participation: Gaps in Coverage and Counter-cyclical Impact
  • SNAP/Food Stamp Historic Trends: 1998-2010
  • Homeless Persons' Rights under the SNAP/Food Stamp Program
• School Breakfast and Lunch
  • School Meal Eligibility
  • National School Lunch Program
  • School Breakfast Program
  • School Breakfast State/Local Data Report Toolkit
  • School Breakfast Outreach
  • Local School Wellness Policies
  • Breakfast in the Classroom
• Afterschool Nutrition Programs
  • FRAC's Afterschool Meals Guide
  • Reimbursement Rates
  • Model Programs
  • Outreach Materials
  • Standards of Excellence - Afterschool Programs
  • Model Advocacy Efforts - Afterschool
  • Snack and Meal FAQ
  • NSLP Afterschool Snacks
  • Model Afterschool Snacks and Suppers
• Summer Nutrition Programs
  • Summer Food Site Locator 2011
  • Summer Reimbursement Rates
  • Summer FAQ
  • Nutrition Guidelines
  • Model Summer Programs
  • Model Advocacy Efforts - Summer Programs
  • Summer Nutrition Toolkit
  • State Summer Outreach Materials Clearinghouse
  • Standards of Excellence - Summer Programs
• Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • CACFP Eligibility & Reimbursement
  • Child Care Food Program Wellness Tool Kit
• WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
  • New Food Package Toolkit
  • Making WIC Work in Multicultural Communities
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
  • FFVP Outreach
  • FFVP Planning Tool
• Other Programs

Reimbursement Rates

Household income determines if a child qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. Free and reduced-price eligibility establishes the reimbursement rates provided in the afterschool and summer nutrition programs. The reimbursement rates vary depending upon the nutrition program, with some providing the highest (or same) reimbursement rate for all meals and snacks served if the program is located in an area where at least 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

For a child to be eligible for free meals, the household income must be 130 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines. For a child to be eligible for reduced-price meals, the household income must be between 130 and 185 percent of the guidelines. In Alaska and Hawaii, the requirements for qualifying for free or reduced-price meals are set at higher income levels because of these states’ high cost of living.

Programs receive a nominal reimbursement for a child whose household income is above 185 percent of poverty (or who does not submit a free or reduced-price meal application or otherwise document eligibility for free or reduced-price meals). This is called the paid rate.

The chart below breaks down the guidelines based upon the size of the household.

NSLP Afterschool Snacks

July 2011 through June 2012

The reimbursement rate for NSLP snacks is determined either by the afterschool program’s eligibility or the individual child’s eligibility. An afterschool program is eligible if it is located in a low-income area (where at least 50 percent of the children in the local elementary, middle, or high school are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals). In this instance, all of the snacks are reimbursed at the free rate of reimbursement for all of the snacks served. If an afterschool program is not located in a low-income area, it is reimbursed based upon each child’s eligibility for free, reduced-price, or paid school meals.

Snacks served in Alaska and Hawaii are reimbursed at a higher rate because of these states’ high food costs.

CACFP Meals and Snacks

July 2011 through June 2012

Afterschool programs that are located in low-income areas (where at least 50 percent of the children in the local elementary, middle, or high school are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals and snacks) receive the free rate for all meals and snacks served. Children age 18 and younger can receive meals and snacks at programs after school, on weekends or school holidays (not including summer vacation). To qualify, the program must be located in a low-income area (where at least 50 percent of the children in the local elementary, middle, or high school are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals). All of the meals and snacks are reimbursed at the free rate.

Meals and snacks served through the CACFP Outside School Hours Care option are reimbursed based upon the participating children’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. This CACFP option can be used to serve children younger than 13 at before-school, afterschool, and weekend programs. (Summer programs are eligible only if they are a continuation of a year-round program.) A maximum of two meals and a snack can be served each day.

The reimbursement rates listed above do not include the value of commodities (or cash in lieu of commodities), $0.2225 for July 2011 through June 2012, which CACFP provides for each lunch and dinner served.

Meals and snacks served in Alaska and Hawaii are reimbursed at a higher rate because of these states’ high food costs.