Traditionally, school officials distribute free and reduced price meal applications to households and make determinations of eligibility of free and reduced-price meals. Provision 2 is an eligibility option for districts that reduces application burdens and simplifies counting and claiming procedures. Provision 2 can be offered for breakfast only, for lunch only or for both school meals.

This manual contains information on determining students' eligibility for free and reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (including after school snacks and commodity schools) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). It is also applicable to the Special Milk Program (SMP), for schools that serve free milk to eligible students.