Free and Reduced Meals
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Free and Reduced Price Meals are available to families who believe they may qualify. To apply, please complete a "Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form." The forms can be completed on-line here with EZ Meal Apps or obtained and returned (completed) to any school office. You will be notified by mail of your child's status. Until notification, you must provide your child with a lunch or lunch money.
Only one application should be completed per family. The information you give will be used to determine or prove your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally funded school benefits.Factors considered in the application process are household size and total household income.
- HOUSEHOLD SIZE is considered all persons, related or unrelated: This includes parents, children, and grandparents who live in your home and share living expenses.
- TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.
Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits. An application is not needed, yet there does need to be documentation of status by a state or local entity familiar with the child's status. Foster children may be included in the household application as part of the household size.
The free and reduced lunch statistics allow our schools to receive important funding from the federal government. This funding provides access to technology and other important resources for our students. We encourage everyone to complete this form.
2020-2021 Income Eligibility Guidelines
How to Complete the EZ Meal App- Video Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions: Free/Reduced Meals
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We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income? What if my spouse is deployed?
If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.
If your spouse is deployed and receives combat pay, the combat pay is not counted as income, as long as the combat pay is received in addition to the basic pay for deployment and it wasn’t received before the deployment. Contact your child’s school for more information.
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What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
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Who should I include as members of my household?
You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children who live with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people whom you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do not include them.
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May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced price meals.
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Will the information I give be checked? What if I disagree with the school's decision about my application?
Yes, we may ask you to send written proof or verification.
You also may talk to school officials and ask for a hearing to have the decision reviewed.
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If I don't qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free or reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
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What if I got a letter already this school year saying my children are approved for free/reduced meals?
Please carefully read the letter you got and follow the instructions. Call your child’s school if you have questions.
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My child's application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one this year?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for free meals for the new school year.
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I get WIC. Can my children get free meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.
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Who can get reduced price meals?
Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Chart, shown on this application.
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Can homeless, runaway, and migrant children get free meals?
Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail your child’s school to see if they qualify.
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Can Foster Children get free meals?
Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.
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Who can get free meals?
All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP Benefits) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
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Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. You can use one Free and Reduced School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all the required information. Return the completed application to your child's school.
