What Is the CACFP National Disqualified List (NDL) and How to Get Off It?

An NDL listing affects the named organization or individual’s ability to participate in CACFP. Start by confirming whether your document is a serious-deficiency notice, a proposed termination, or a final disqualification notice. Those stages call for different responses.

Here is how to verify a listing, understand the removal rules, and organize the records needed for the next step.

First, Identify Your Stage

• Serious-deficiency notice: this is a formal notice requiring corrective action, not proof that you are already on the NDL. Read what happens after a notice.
• Proposed termination and disqualification: check the appeal instructions, deadline, and who is named. Read how to respond to proposed termination.
• Final termination or confirmed NDL listing: preserve the final notice and verify the organization and individuals listed. The removal guidance below addresses this stage.

Keep the notice, its attachments, and evidence of when it was received. A request for professional help does not extend an agency deadline.

What Is the CACFP National Disqualified List (NDL)?

USDA FNS maintains the list of disqualified institutions, day care homes, and individuals. A listed organization cannot participate as a CACFP institution or sponsored center. A listed individual cannot serve as a principal in a participating institution or facility or as a day care home provider.

Having a sponsor does not eliminate a center’s CACFP responsibilities. Check who is named in the notices rather than assuming every employee is disqualified.

How Can Centers or Staff End Up on the NDL?

Centers and individuals are placed on the NDL after being terminated from CACFP for serious noncompliance that isn’t corrected. Issues that can lead to serious deficiency and disqualification include:

• Inaccurate, incomplete, or missing records (finances, meal counts, and attendance logs) – including inaccurate financial records found during an administrative review.
• Spending CACFP funds on unallowable expenses.
• Failing to correct serious noncompliances, or ignoring warnings from your sponsor or state agency.
• Failing to repay funds when required.
• Serving meals that don’t follow Program requirements.
• Submitting false or inaccurate claims and meal data.
• Allowing anyone listed on the NDL to serve as a principal in a CACFP institution or facility or as a day care home provider.

Want to learn more about serious issues that can affect your CACFP reimbursement? understand what can make a CACFP program seriously deficient.

What Happens If Your Center Is on the NDL?

If you or your center is listed on the NDL, your CACFP reimbursements stop and you’re barred from the Program for years. Specifically:

• You lose your CACFP participation – and your reimbursement stops.
• The listing generally lasts seven years unless approved early removal occurs; unpaid Program debt can keep it in place longer.
• Your reputation can suffer, affecting future business opportunities.
• Other program eligibility may also be affected; check the rules for each program and the organization or individual named.

For a separate explanation of other USDA Child Nutrition Programs and Texas child-care subsidy consequences, see Can a CACFP National Disqualified List (NDL) Listing Affect Other Federal or State Programs?

How Do You Check the NDL?

Ask your state agency or sponsor to verify the listing, including the exact organization or individual and disqualification date. USDA makes the NDL available to state agencies and sponsoring organizations; it is not a general public name-search page.

In Texas, TDA’s NDL and Texas Excluded SFSP List page explains how contracting entities request access to USDA’s application. It separately explains access to the Texas Excluded SFSP List.

Can You Be Removed from the CACFP National Disqualified List?

Yes, but it’s not easy. You remain on the list until USDA determines the serious deficiencies have been corrected or seven years have passed, whichever comes first — and in either case until any CACFP debts are repaid (7 CFR 226.6(c)(7)). However, early removal is possible in some limited cases.

Eligibility for Early Removal

For institutions and responsible principals or individuals, 7 CFR 226.6(c)(7)(v) allows removal when FNS, in consultation with the state agency, determines that the underlying serious deficiencies have been corrected, or when seven years have elapsed. Outstanding Program debt must be repaid.

Texas-specific restriction: TDA states that it will not consider early-removal requests involving falsification, false representations or claims, unlawful practices, or other lack-of-business-integrity findings. For other deficiencies, a request may be considered; approval is not guaranteed. Readers outside Texas should obtain their state agency’s instructions.

A debt-related listing does not automatically mean early removal can never be considered. Confirm the balance, resolve the debt, and determine whether the underlying deficiencies and other eligibility barriers can be addressed.

How Do You Get Off the NDL? Step-by-Step

If you’re eligible, removal comes down to fixing the underlying problems, documenting the fix, and submitting a complete removal request. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Fix What Went Wrong

Start by correcting every issue that got you on the list. This could mean repaying any money owed (such as claim adjustments or overpayments), fixing your recordkeeping, or proving you’ve changed the way you operate.

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

You’ll need to show proof – think receipts, financial records, and a written corrective action plan (CAP) that demonstrates problems have been permanently corrected and explains how you’ll keep them from happening again. Include documentation supporting why you’re now eligible to resume participating in CACFP.

Step 3: Submit Your Request

Use your state agency’s current removal process and required documents. In Texas: TDA links to its NDL/TEXSL Removal Request Form. This Texas form is not a nationwide application.

Step 4: Wait for Review

• The state agency (in Texas, the Texas Department of Agriculture) reviews your request and forwards it to USDA if corrective actions are satisfactory.
• USDA makes the final decision regarding removal.
• Denial of removal is not subject to CACFP administrative review; it does not reopen the original proposed-termination appeal.
• If your request is approved, you must submit a new CACFP application to be approved for Program participation again.

What Documentation Should You Organize?

CACFP Solutions recommendation: organize the records below before an assessment or removal request. Your state agency’s current instructions control what must be submitted; this is a preparation checklist, not a universal required-document list.

• Corrective Action Plan (CAP): a clear, detailed explanation of what went wrong and, most importantly, what changes you’ve made to prevent it from happening again. Be specific – “we’ll do better next time” isn’t enough.
• Proof of paid debts: receipts, bank statements, or official letters showing you’ve paid back every dollar owed to CACFP or the state. If you have unpaid debts, your request will be denied.
• Acceptable single audit (if required): if your center was flagged for audit issues, include a completed and correct single audit report.
• Supporting documentation: updated financial records (budgets, ledgers, receipts), recent meal records and attendance logs, and training certificates showing you and your staff have completed all required CACFP training.
• Personal identification: provide identification only when required through the agency’s approved submission method.
• Written explanation: identify the organization and individuals requesting removal, explain each original deficiency, and connect each correction to supporting evidence.

Common Application Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them

• Missing paperwork: double-check every required document before you submit.
• Unpaid debts: settle every outstanding balance first.
• Vague explanations: use precise, detailed descriptions of how you’ve fixed the problems.
• Rushing your submission: always double-check.

Pro tip: before sending your NDL removal packet, have a colleague or sponsor review your application. A fresh set of eyes can catch missing details that you may have overlooked.

How Do You Stay Off the NDL?

To reduce the risk of serious deficiencies, build routine checks into your CACFP work:

• Keep accurate financial records – especially your CACFP budget and expenses. Document every meal, every dollar, every day.
• Track reimbursements and expenses carefully to ensure you’re spending CACFP funds appropriately – only on approved food, supplies, and staff – and reconciling them regularly.
• Monitor operations regularly – including your financial processes – to quickly identify and address issues before they escalate.
• Follow meal pattern requirements to ensure meals served and claims submitted are accurate.
• Attend required training and ensure staff are familiar with CACFP guidelines.
• Act fast on warnings. If you get a notice, don’t wait – fix the issue right away and document everything.
• Communicate with your sponsor or state agency and ask for help when needed to prevent problems from escalating.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you stay on the NDL?

Until USDA determines the deficiencies are corrected or seven years pass, whichever comes first — and until any Program debts, such as claim adjustments or overpayments, are repaid (7 CFR 226.6(c)(7)).

Can you appeal if your removal request is denied?

A state-agency or FNS determination that corrective action is inadequate for NDL removal is not subject to CACFP administrative review under 7 CFR 226.6(k)(3)(vi). This differs from the appeal opportunity in a proposed termination notice.

If you’re removed from the NDL, can you start claiming again right away?

No. Removal from the list doesn’t mean automatic re-entry into the Program. You must submit a new CACFP application and be approved before participating again.

Can individual staff members be on the NDL, or just centers?

Organizations and individuals can be listed. A listed person may not serve as a principal in a CACFP institution or facility or as a day care home provider. Check the notices to see which individuals are named.

Is early removal possible if the issue involved fraud or unpaid debts?

Outstanding Program debt must be repaid before removal. In Texas, TDA will not consider early removal for lack-of-business-integrity findings such as falsification or false claims. Other states’ procedures must be checked with the responsible agency; do not treat the Texas restriction as a nationwide rule.

Who decides whether you’re removed from the list?

Your state agency reviews your request first and forwards it to USDA if your corrective actions are satisfactory. USDA makes the final decision.

Need Help Understanding Your Notice or NDL Listing?

CACFP Solutions offers paid termination and NDL assessment support. An assessment reviews your notices, original findings, prior corrective actions, and relevant correspondence to evaluate what professional help may fit your situation.

Explore termination and NDL assessment support. Start by gathering those records and identifying any current deadline.

CACFP Solutions is a private team of CACFP specialists, not your state agency or USDA. We cannot extend deadlines, decide eligibility, or guarantee reversal, removal, or approval.

Sources and Related Guidance

• 7 CFR 226.6 — NDL restrictions and removal, (c)(7); administrative review, (k).
• TDA NDL/TEXSL guidance — Texas access, early-removal restrictions, and application process.
• What happens after a serious-deficiency notice?
• CACFP termination: what it means and how to respond
• What can make a CACFP program seriously deficient?
• Return to Learn CACFP