The Bush administration is considering an audit of the national school lunch program to make sure that all thechildren receiving free and reduced-price lunches come from families that are truly low-income.

The Department of Agriculture says about 28 million children get their lunch each day through the program, which cost .8 billion in 2002. A USDA study last year estimated that one in five children participating might be ineligible because the family's income is too high. USDA estimates that billion of the funding bought lunches for ineligible children.

A family of four with an annual income of up to ,530 qualifies for free meals. Families that make ,485 qualify for reduced-price lunches costing up to 40 cents.

Administration officials and lawmakers say they're trying to keep recipients honest while not scaring away needy families. What happens with the program won't just affect how many children receive free chicken nuggets, chocolate milk and canned fruit salad. States and school districts use the program figures to estimate poverty levels at schools, so the results also could affect the amount of government aid at all levels that makes its way down to struggling schools.

Schools rely on parents to report their income but generally don't require proof. "When you start tightening up the scrutiny on these applications, families become fearful and they don't apply," says Gaye Lynn MacDonald of the school food service association.

(Agencies)