Community Eligibility Provision

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a meal service option for schools in high poverty communities to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Eligible schools adopting CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and income eligible Medicaid participants.

School/district administrators must consider financial factors prior to participating in CEP. This is especially true for schools at a lower identified student percentage (ISP). If there is a difference between the cost of serving lunches and breakfasts at no cost to all participating children and funding available to support CEP, the school/district must pay that difference with non-Federal funding sources. Sources of non-Federal funds may include State and local funds, cash donations and in-kind contributions from outside sources, such as volunteer services.

A Reimbursement Estimator, Title I, and E-Rate guidance documents are available below to assist schools in assessing financial feasibility of electing CEP.
Interested schools must apply with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office of Nutrition by June 30 by completing the CEP Election Survey. The participation form and eligibility worksheet (below) must be uploaded to the checklist summary of the application packet in the Claims Reimbursement and Reporting System (CRRS) by June 30 of the current program year for participation in the next school year. Please contact the Office of Nutrition at 1-800-808-6325 to ask questions. 

Beginning in school year 2024-2025, eligible Local Education Agencies (LEA's) and schools are those with Identified Student Percentages (ISPs) that are 25 percent or higher. Near-eligible LEAs and schools are those with ISPs less than 25 percent but greater than or equal to 15 percent. LEAs and schools eligible for a grace year are those with ISPs of less than 25 percent but greater than or equal to 15 percent as of April 1 in year 4 of their CEP cycle.
 

• CEP Fact Sheet
• Ohio CEP Audit Policy
• CEP Participation Form
• CEP Eligibility Worksheet
• Community Eligibility Provision Resource Center
• Community Eligibility Provision Annual Notification for School Year 2026-2027 (Site)
• Community Eligibility Provision Annual Notification for School Year 2026-2027 (Sponsor)
• Community Eligibility Provision Annual Notification for School Year 2025-2026 (Site)
• Community Eligibility Provision Annual Notification for School Year 2025-2026 (Sponsor)
• Community Eligibility Provision Annual Notification for School Year 2024-2025 (Site)
• Community Eligibility Provision Annual Notification for School Year 2024-2025 (Sponsor)

LEAs must participate in the National School Lunch Program for at least one school year before application to CEP can be made.

• LEAs that elect to participate in CEP for at least one site must notify households of children attending the CEP school(s) of CEP participation. 
• LEAs considering CEP are encouraged to evaluate the financial viability of their school meal program under CEP.  
• LEAs that need to collect household income to determine eligibility for other state and federal program benefits that the child(ren)’s school may qualify for other than the school meal programs may use an optional income form.

LEAs can contact child.nutrition@education.ohio.gov for program information, sample letters, calculation tools, and alternate income forms.

• SP 08-2015 Updated E-Rate Guidance for Schools Electing Community Eligibility

Title 1 Guidance While Operating Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

• Updated Title I Guidance for Making Within District Allocations | Food and Nutrition Service

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Last Modified: 6/15/2026 2:54:35 PM

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