CACFP Claim Submission Deadlines

To be entitled to reimbursement, a claim preparer for each sponsor must submit a monthly claim for reimbursement that provides data in sufficient detail to justify the reimbursement claimed. The data must include the number of free meals, reduced-price meals, and paid meals served; and an authorized agent or district official of the sponsor must certify and submit the claim in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS). All claims submitted must be certified by the authorized official to be considered a valid claim.

All original and upward adjusted claims resulting in a payment must be submitted by the sixtieth (60th) day following the month claimed to be considered for payment. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, claim submissions will be permitted through the next business day. Claims submitted after the deadline cannot be processed, except as described on the CACFP Late Claims web page. Claims that are corrected must be re-certified and submitted after the correction is made and the claim is saved.

As a courtesy, approximately 50 days after the end of the claim month, the CACFP Fiscal Unit sends a Notice of Delinquent Claim (Late Claim Notice) to sponsors participating in the CACFP. whose claim for meal reimbursement has not been entered into the Child Nutrition and Information Payment System (CNIPS) for either Child Care Centers, Adult Care Centers or Day Care Homes.

October 2025 through September 2026

October 2026 through September 2027

Questions: CACFP Fiscal Unit | CACFPClaims@dss.ca.gov