Children who participate in certain federal programs are categorically eligible for free meals.  The Even Start Family Literacy Program is one such federal program.  In order for the participants to be eligible for free meals, three criteria must be met.  First, the school or institution providing the Even Start services must be participating in one of the Child Nutrition Programs, either CACFP, NSLP, SBP, SMP or SFSP.   Second, the child must be enrolled as a participant in a federally-funded Even Start Family Literacy Program.  Third, the child must be at the pre-kindergarten level.  Once the child enters kindergarten, the child loses his or her categorical eligibility for free meals based upon Even Start.  This eligibility only applies to the participants, not to other family members.

    Documentation of eligibility must be maintained on file at the Even Start site.  This must included an approved Even Start application for the child's family, or a statement of enrollment in Even Start, or a list of children participating in Even Start.  Confirmation that the child has not yet entered kindergarten must be included in the documentation from the Even Start official.

    At the beginning of each year, the official must re-establish categorical eligibility for each Even Start child.  When a child is no longer categorically eligible for free meals through Even Start, the child's family must be provided the opportunity to apply for free or reduced price meals under the standard application procedure or through direct certification.  The school or institution is responsible for providing the family with instructions on how to apply for these benefits.