CACFP Income Eligibility Guidance for Child Care Centers


Income Eligibility Form (IEF) Mistakes

These common mistakes can be very costly!

  • Children are classified incorrectly.
  • Meal classifications are based on old income guidelines.
  • Eligibility determination is incorrectly checked.
  • The IEF is outdated (valid until the last day of the month the form is dated, one year earlier).
  • The form is not signed and dated by an authorized center representative.
  • The form is not signed and dated by the parent/guardian.

Other mistakes include:

  • The IEF is submitted to the center with missing information.
  • Total household income is added incorrectly.
  • The total number in the household is incorrect.
  • The last four digits of the social security number are not provided when the IEF is based on household income (not required if case numbers are included for SNAP or TANF benefits).
  • Free or reduced-price meals are claimed before the approved IEF is on file.

Additional note:

  • Foster children are eligible for free meals regardless of household income with third-party documentation; no IEF is needed.

Refer to the following pages for examples of how to correctly complete the IEF for the various household types. Be aware of common mistakes.

Table of Contents

On this page