Originally published July 23, 2020 by Benefits.gov

Benefits.gov is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date information to help citizens access resources from our Partner agencies throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has created more flexibility within their programs to best serve citizens in need.

With school closures, can I receive food for my children?

As a result of the pandemic, many schools opted to close for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This decision is especially hard for students who rely on school lunches for their nutrition.

The FNS has provided the Child Nutrition COVID-19 Meal Times Nationwide Waiverallowing for the serving of meals outside of the standard meal times for the following child nutrition programs: National School Lunch and Breakfast Programand Child and Adult Care Food Program. This waiver is to ensure children are still being fed while abiding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to social distance. These waivers are effective immediately, and remain in effect until

COVID-19: Finding Food and Nutrition Programs and Shopping Safely

the expiration of the federally declared public health emergency.

To apply, please check the USDA FNS website to see all COVID-19 waivers that apply to your state. For information regarding your communities’ schedule to provide access to food, please visit your local school’s website.