Free & Reduced-Price Lunch FAQ
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Please note: all children in households receiving benefits from SNAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or TANF are eligible for free meals.You do not have to fill out an application.
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Does my family qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
- Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court 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.
- If any of the above applies to you, please complete the application when it is sent to you this summer.
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What is the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant?
- Do the members of your household lack a permanent address?
- Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement?
- Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis?
- Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household?
- If any of the above applies to you, please complete the application when it is sent to you this summer.
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My application was approved prior. Do I need to fill out a new application?
Yes, the application is only valid for that school year. You must complete a new application.
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We receive WIC or Medicaid. Do my students qualify?
Children in households participating in WIC or Medicaid may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please complete the application when it is sent to you this summer.
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What if my income is not consistent?
List the amount that you typically receive. If you normally work overtime, include it. If you do not consistently work overtime, do not include it. If you have lost a job or had hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
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What if some household members do not have income to report?
Applicants without income are requested to write a “zero” in the applicable field or mark “no income”. Applications with blank income fields will be processed as complete.
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We are in the military. Do we report income differently?
- Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you receive any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) payments and any additional combat pay resulting from deployment are also excluded from income.
- Is Combat Pay Counted as Income? No, if the combat pay is received in addition to the basic pay because of deployment and it was not received before deployment, combat pay is not counted as income.
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Will the information I provide on the application be checked?
Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
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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, students whose parent/guardians who becomes unemployed may become eligible if the household income falls below the income limit.
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Do you share the information on my form with anyone else?
We use the information on your form to determine if your student(s) should get free or reduced-price meals. We may inform school/district officials associated with other Federal or State education programs. In addition, parents or guardians may request release of information to other programs (example: athletic/activity fees).




Child Nutrition
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Contact Information:
701-746-2436 (department phone number)
701-746-2295 (department fax number)