While an approved Free & Reduced Lunch Application is not necessary for students to receive free meals, it is still critically important for you to complete your free and reduced lunch form in order for our schools to receive important federal funding.

Completing the Lunch Application allows us to receive important federal funding for things like:

• Additional classroom teachers to ensure reduced class sizes
• Academic facilitators & instructional coaches
• Additional funding for instructional supplies and materials
• Additional technology devices
• Professional development for teachers
• Educational software programs

While individual student data is confidential and may not be used for local education purposes, it is used at the State level for a variety of purposes, including: 

• The issuance of P-EBT benefits if they become available to families this year;
• The allotment of State funds and discretionary grants for certain programs and public school units (PSUs);
• A mechanism for students (who qualify) to waive the cost Advanced Placement tests;
• Documentation to qualify for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid;
• Use by the agency for various accountability measures, and
• Other allowable uses at the State level.

All children in households receiving benefits from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, formerly known as Food Stamps), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Cash Assistance (CA), are eligible for free meals.

• Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
• Children participating in their school’s Federally-funded Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
• Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
• Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If your children meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant but have not been informed that they will get free meals, contact the school’s homeless, runaway or migrant liaison.

No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household.

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 the new school year. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.

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 who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a prorated share of expenses), do not include them.