The Child Nutrition Management System (CNMS) is a web-based system for the management of the Lunch, Snack, Breakfast, Milk and Summer Food Service programs. It features on-line submittal of claims for reimbursement and annual renewal information. School Food Authorities (SFAs) can access claim and payment history, program policy and procedural memoranda and various reports.

The CNMS web address is http://www.nysed.gov/cn/cnms.htm.

An application for a password must be submitted. You can print a copy from our web site by clicking on User Guides, then Access CNMS. There you will find the SFA Application.

Each SFA is assigned one primary user, who in turn will be able to assign passwords to other users at that SFA, including management company staff. The password will limit access to only the SFA’s data and will serve as the certification in claim processing. Management company passwords will permit completion and storage of claims on-line; however, the SFA will be required to transmit the claim for processing.

You can use any computer with web-based access. However, CNMS requires Internet Explorer 5.5 or better browser.

No. Paper submittals will still be accepted but if you file a claim on-line, there is no need to send in a paper claim.

Faster claim processing. It usually takes only 4-5 business days from transmittal of a claim to payment.

Immediate claim validation. Valid claims are immediately processed and the reimbursement amount is indicated. If your claim fails an edit check, you will receive a violation notice and will be able to correct the problem immediately.

Immediate Annual Renewal approval. An SFA can review, update, submit and receive approval on-line, all within a matter of minutes. However, certain change such as the addition of a new recipient agency or program still requires submittal of a paper application.

Claim history. SFAs have access to the history of individual claims, including payment amounts, dates and check or fund transfer numbers.

Information access. Policies and procedures are available and searchable on-line. We maintain a Message Board that provides SFAs with current directives, upcoming events, reminders and other general information.

Reports. A limited number of standard reports are now available on-line and custom reports will be developed based on user needs.

Yes. Enrollment, days, eligible counts and meal counts are still required. For Provision 2, only enrollment, days and total meals are required. The system calculates the breakdown of meals by category.