The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is reminding families about three federal nutrition programs they administer for students in lower income families — the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program.
All households with students enrolled in public K-12 schools receive application packets at the beginning of the school year. Households with incomes below certain levels are encouraged to apply for any or all of the administered programs.
As an example, a household with two people is encouraged to apply for eligibility to receive free or reduced-price meals or free milk if the household’s annual income is less than $21,398, or a monthly income of $1,784.
A three-person household is encouraged to apply if they have an annual income less than $27,014, as is a four-person household if they have annual income less than $32,630.
The application packet provides instructions and directions on where to send the applications. The application review and determinations are made within 10 operating days of receipt of the application, and they can be submitted any time during the school year.
Students receiving help through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Basic Food Program, along with other students in the same household, automatically qualify for free meals. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides OSPI with a list of children who receive these services to facilitate automatic eligibility.
Children participating in certain Medicaid programs, along with other students in the household, can also automatically qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and eligibility can be extended.
Children in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. In households where children in foster care reside, all other students in the household may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on household size or income.
Students experiencing homelessness and migrant students, households taking part in Food Distribution Program on Native Reservations, and students in Head Start and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program are also eligible for free meals. Contact your child’s school for more information.
Eligibility lasts from the date of approval up to the first 30 operating days of the next school year or until a family member contacts the school or district.
DSHS also provides OSPI with a list of children participating in certain Medicaid programs. All other students in the household can automatically qualify for free or reduced-price meals and eligibility can be extended.
