 The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program provides financial reimbursements to licensed or registered child care providers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to children in their care.
How Does It Work? Back To Top
The Food Program is absolutely free. That's
right! There's no charge to participate. To be eligible in
Nebraska, you just need to be a licensed or have a current DSS
Agreement Provider whose meals meet the guidelines established by
the USDA. These are meals that are much like the meals you are
probably already serving.
You will receive a payment every month! You
have two options for receiving your food reimbursement, by check
or direct deposit. You also have two options for submitting menu
and attendance records.
1. At the end of the month, send in your
Food Program information electronically using your computer.
2. At the end of the month, you can send us
your information by mailing it to us on forms supplied to you by
us.
Either way, it takes about 5-10 minutes a
day to complete the information.
How much Cash Will I Receive? Back To Top
If you're serving breakfast, lunch and a
snack to just 6 children for 21 care days each month you can be
reimbursed between $2,364 and $4,944 per year. And you'll receive
a reimbursement check every month!
 The amount you receive is based on a
two-tier reimbursement scale. Whether you qualify for Tier 1
rates or Tier 2 rates is based on a variety of factors (such as
the demographics of the area you live in, your personal income,
or the income of the families you serve). Following are the
current Tier 1 and Tier 2 rates for each meal. For more
information on which Tier you are most likely to qualify for,
contact us via email at director@hfs-cacfp.org or call us at (402)
451-6244.
| |
Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
| Breakfast |
$1.17 |
$.43 |
| Lunch/Supper |
$2.18 |
$1.31 |
| Snacks |
$.65 |
$.18 |
These rates are in effect from 7/01/2008 - 6/30/2009. Rates
payable for each meal are adjusted by
the USDA every July.
You can be reimbursed each day for a maximum of: 2 meals + 1
snack per child OR 2 snacks + 1 meal per child.
 When will I receive my Food Program reimbursement? Back To Top
If you are a member, you'll usually receive your check between
the 15th and the 20th of the month, providing your claim for
reimbursement arrives in our office by the 4th of each month.
Why Join the Food Program? Back To Top
Participating in the Food Program is truly a win-win situation.
- Your kids win because they're eating nutritious meals and
snacks.
- Your child care business wins because providing the Food
Program
attracts families to your child care home.
- You win because the financial
reimbursements help your cash flow.
Find out why Heartland Family Service Child Care Network is the
Best in Nebraska.
Tax Advantages Back To Top
Even though you receive reimbursement for the meals you serve,
your food costs for those meals are a business expense. So you
would only pay taxes on the amount of reimbursement that might be
in excess of your food expenses. Bottom line: you will only have
a monthly increase in your cash flow from the reimbursement. Many
child care providers describe the reimbursement like getting a
raise—you have to pay taxes on your raise but it's still a raise!
 Claiming Your Own Children Back To Top
In addition to receiving reimbursement for your day care
children, the USDA does allow reimbursement for your own children
under these circumstances:
- Your child is 12 years of age or younger.
- You remain within your license capacity.
- Your household income falls within the USDA Income Guidelines.
- One of your enrolled day care children
is eating the same meal you're claiming for your own child.
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