FAQ's on Free and Reduced Priced Meals:

1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Use one Household Eligibility Application for all students in your household per district.  We cannot approve an application that is not complete so be sure to complete all required information.  Return the completed application to your child's school (or any of your children's schools).
2. Who can get free meals?  Children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can get free meals regardless of your income.  Also, if your household income is within the limits for your household size on the Federal Income Chart, your children can get free or reduced-price meals.  Children who qualify for homeless, runaway, or migrant also qualify for free meals.
3.  Who can get reduced meals?  Children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Eligibility Income Chart show above.
4. A member of my household receives SNAP or TANF benefits.  I received a letter stating that my child is automatically approved for free meals based on direct certification.  Do I need to do anything more to ensure that I receive free meals for my child? No. You do not need to do anything more to receive the free meals.  If you have students not listed on the letter, contact the school immediately.  If you do not wish to receive the free meals, notify the school personnel immediately.
5. My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one? Yes. Your child’s application from the previous year is only good for the first 30 operating days of the new school year if you do not re-apply and get re-approved for meal benefits. You must send in a new application unless you received a letter stating your child is eligible for  the new school year.
6. I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC might be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please fill out an application.
7. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof of the information you give.
8. If I don't qualify now, may  apply later?  Yes.  You may apply at any time during the school year should your household circumstances change.
9. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials. 
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. 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.
13. We are in the military.  Do we include our housing allowance as income? 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. 
14. My spouse if deployed in a combat zone. Is his/her combat pay counted as income? No. If the combat pay is received in addition to the basic pay because of deployment and it wasn't received before the deployment, combat pay is not counted as income.
15. My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for? To find out how to apply for SNAP, TANF, or other assistance benefits, contact your local Department of Human Services office or call (800) 843-6154 (voice) or (800) 447-6406 (TTY).