Our school offers healthy meals each day. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day.
Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Education and Nutrition Benefits Application is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts and other programs.
Who can get additional education benefits?
- All children in households receiving benefits from the Food Assistance Program (FAP), Family Independence Program (FIP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible.
- Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible.
- Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible.
- Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant are eligible.
- Children may receive education benefits if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines on this chart.
Federal Income Eligibility Chart
|
Household Size
|
Annually
|
Monthly
|
Weekly
|
|
1
|
29,526
|
2,461
|
568
|
|
2
|
40,034
|
3,337
|
770
|
|
3
|
50,542
|
4,212
|
972
|
|
4
|
61,050
|
5,088
|
1,175
|
|
5
|
71,558
|
5,964
|
1,377
|
|
6
|
82,066
|
6,839
|
1,579
|
|
7
|
92,574
|
7,715
|
1,781
|
|
8
|
103,082
|
8,349
|
1,983
|
|
Each additional person:
|
10,508
|
876
|
203
|
How do I know if my children qualify as homeless, migrant or runaway?
- Does your family not have a permanent place to live?
- Are you staying in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary place?
- Does your family move from place to place during certain seasons for work?
- Are there children living with you who left their previous home on their own?
If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and have not been told your children will get free meals, please contact Patricia Harthun.
Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Use one application for all students in your household. We cannot approve your application if it is not complete, so make sure to fill in all required information. Return the application to: Tania Gergis.
Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are already approved through direct certification?
No, but make sure to read the letter carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were not listed on the eligibility letter, contact Tania Gergis immediately.
Can I apply online?
Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper one. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Applications can be completed by going to Skyward Family Access. Please contact Tania Gergis if you have any questions about the online application.
My child's application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
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, you will not receive additional education benefits and your school could lose out on important funding.
I get WIC. Do I need to complete the application?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for supplemental benefits. Please send in an application.
Will the information I give be checked?
Yes. We may ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
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 if the household income drops below the income limit.
What if I disagree with the school's decision about my application?
You should first talk to school officials. You can also ask for a hearing by emailing Dr. Michael Lonze.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply.
What if my income changes from month to month?
Write down the amount you normally get. For example, if you usually make $1,000 a month, but last month you made $900 because you missed work, write $1,000. If you normally get overtime, include it. If you only get overtime once in a while, do not include it. If you have lost a job or your hours or pay were reduced, list your current income.
What if some household members have no income to report?
Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive income at all. 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 zeroe. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
We are military. Do we report our income differently?
You must report your basic pay and cash bonuses as income. If you get cash 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. Any combat pay you get because of deployment should also not be included as income.
What if there isn't enough space on the application for my family?
If you run out of space, write the names of additional household members on another piece of paper and attach it to your application. You may also contact Tania Gergis to get a second application.
My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To learn how to apply for Food Assistance Program (FAP) or other types of help,, contact your local assistance office at https://newmibridges.michigan.gov.
If you have other questions or need help, please call (248) 956-3081.
