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Apply for Free and Reduced Lunches before September 28 Deadline

The deadline to apply for and receive free and reduced lunch benefits is quickly approaching. 

Students who qualified for benefits last year will no longer receive them after the first 30 days of school unless parents reapply by September 28, 2023.  Parents or guardians may also apply or reapply for free/reduced-price meals anytime during the school year if they have a change in household size or income. 

Using the portal is easy and convenient, so visit the webpage soon to access the online application portal. The above video tutorial will help step you through the application process.

Not sure if  your child is eligible for free or reduced meals? No problem! They’ve got you covered. Follow the secure and straightforward online application process to find out if you qualify and proceed to apply without any hassle.

Completing the application takes 10-15 minutes of your time, and the benefits can make a significant impact for your students. 

By qualifying for free or reduced meals, you could save hundreds of dollars throughout the school year while ensuring your child receives delicious and nutritious meals.

We encourage all eligible families to take advantage of this opportunity. Providing balanced meals for your child contributes to their well-being and supports their academic success.

To learn more about the free and reduced meal benefits and to initiate your application, please visit myschoolapps.com. Don’t let this chance slip away – secure your child’s access to nourishing meals today!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Free and Reduced Meal FAQ Questions

  1. How do I apply for free and reduced lunches for my child?
    • Visit myschoolsapp.com, click the “Get Started” button, or watch the following video for step-by-step instructions.
  2. What are the income eligibility criteria for the free and reduced lunch program?
    • It varies yearly, but the current year’s guidelines are on the USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines webpage.
  3. Are there any exceptional cases that can or can’t apply for Free and Reduced Meals?
    1. All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or TANF, are eligible for free meals.
    2. Foster children under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
    3. Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
    4. Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
    5. Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if their household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.
  4. How do I know if my children qualify as Homeless, Migrant, or Runaway, and thereby cannot apply for Free and Reduced Meals through the online application?
    1. Ask yourself the following questions:
      1. Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? 
      2. Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? 
      3. Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? 
      4. Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? 
    2. If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and have yet to receive word that your children will get free meals, please call or email Child Nutrition at 801-374-4866, grantb@provo.edu. 
  5. How long does it take to process my application?
    1. It should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the online application process. 
  6. Should I fill out an application if I receive a letter this school year saying my children are already approved for free meals?
    1. No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If you need to add any children to your eligibility notification, contact Child Nutrition, 280 W 940 N. Provo, UT, 84604, 801-374-4866, grantb@provo.edu.
  7. My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
    1. Yes. Your child’s application is only suitable for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school tells you your child is eligible for the new school year.
  8. Do I need to fill out a new application for each child?
    1. No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We can only approve a complete application, so fill out all required information. Return the completed application to Child Nutrition, 280 W 940 N. Provo, UT, 84604, 801-374-4866.
  9.  If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
    1. 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 and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
  10. What if my income changes or fluctuates throughout the year? 
    1. List the amount that you usually receive. For example, if you typically make $1000 each month but missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 monthly. 
    2. If you typically get overtime, include it, but do not if you only work overtime sometimes. 
    3. Use your current income if you have lost a job or had reduced hours or wages.
  11. What documentation or information do I need to provide when applying?
    1. You do not need any physical documentation, but you will need to know and accurately share:
      1. The names and incomes of every member of your household.
      2. The school, grade, and birthdate of every student in your household.
      3. The last four digits of your social security number (if you have one) 
      4. Your family demographic (Name, School, etc.)
      5. SNAP/TANF/FDPIR case numbers, if applicable
      6. Foster child status
      7. A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the application status.
  12. Can I apply for free and reduced lunches online, or is there a paper application?
    1. Schools have received paper templates they can help prepare and file, but the online process is the quickest and most surefire way to complete an application.
  13. What happens if my financial situation changes during the school year? Can I update my application?
    1. 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 and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
  14. Can I appeal a decision if my application for the program is denied? What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
    1. It would be best if you talked to your school officials. You may also request a hearing by calling or writing to Child Nutrition, 280 W 940 N. Provo, UT, 84604, 801-374-4866, grantb@provo.edu.
  15. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
    1. Yes. You, your children, or other household members must not be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals.
  16. What if some household members have no income to report?
    1. Household members may not receive some income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive payment. Whenever this happens, please write a 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
  17.  I get WIC. Can my children get free meals?
    1. Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please apply.
  18. We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
    1. You must report basic pay and cash bonuses as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing or receive Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments, you must also include it as income.  However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.  Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
  19. Will anyone review my application information for general accuracy?
    1. Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
  20. How can I check the status of my application or inquire about my child’s lunch account balance?
    1. A family has a few options. Most ideally they can make a free account on myschoolbucks to monitor their student’s account. They can also call the front desk of the school and be transferred to the kitchen. Our office here at the district is also available to provide whatever information a parent wants from their student’s account.
  21. Is there a deadline for applying for free and reduced lunches?
    1. There is no deadline for application for free and reduced lunches, but there is a cut-off in which free and reduced lunch services will be denied unless the district approves a completed application. The date is September 28, 2023. 
      1. Parents can continually apply for free and reduced lunches after the application date.
  22. What does the free and reduced lunch program cover? Are there any limitations on the types of meals provided?
    1. The benefit only applies to a complete meal (internally in our lingo it’s called a reimbursable meal). If a student decides to just get a milk by itself, it will be charged full price. If a student decides they want a second helping (in the same breakfast/lunch service), then we have to charge the full adult price.
  23. Will my child’s participation in the free and reduced lunch program be kept confidential?
    1. Yes. Free and Reduced lunch participation is confidential. 
  24. If my child transfers to a different school within the same district, do I need to reapply for the program?
    1. No. If a student is Free/Reduced and transfers to another school within the district, they will maintain their benefits.
  25. Are there any other resources or assistance programs available for families in need beyond the free and reduced lunch program?
    1. Yes. Please review our Social Worker’s Community Resources web page for help with housing and utilities, food scarcity, employment, clothing, transportation, medical, dental, vision, mental well-being, internet usage, and more.
Spencer Tuinei
  • Communication Specialist
  • Spencer Tuinei
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