1. Who Can Get Free or Reduced-Price Meals?
- Income- Children can get free or reduced-price meals if a household’s gross income (total, without deductions) is within the limits described in
the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. - Special Assistance Program Participants- Children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for free
meals. - Foster- Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
- Head Start, Early Head Start, and Even Start- Children participating in these programs are eligible for free meals.
- Homeless, Runaway, and Migrant- Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven’t
been told about a child’s status as homeless, runaway, or migrant or you feel a child may qualify for one of these programs, please call
Student Services at 972.968.6506 to see if your child qualifies. - WIC Recipient- Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals on an income basis. Please
complete an application to determine if your household qualifies.
2. What If I Disagree With the School’s Decision About My Application?
Talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to Rachelle Sherrin MS, MBA, RD, SNS, Director of Student Nutrition, 1505 Randolph St, Carrollton TX 75006, 972.968.6390.
3. My Child’s Application Was Approved Last Year. Do I Need To Fill Out A New Application?
Yes. An application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. Complete a new application for the upcoming school year unless the Student Nutrition office sent you a letter stating that your child is directly certified for free meals for the new school year.
4. If I Don’t Qualify Now, May I Apply Later?
Yes. Apply at any time during the school year. A child with a parent/guardian who becomes unemployed at any time during the school year may become eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
5. What If My Income Is Not Always The Same?
List the amount normally received. If a household member had to miss work last month, list usual pay. If a household member normally gets overtime pay, include that amount as income. If a household member lost a job or had hours/wages reduced, use current income.
6. We Are in The Military. Do We Report Our Income Differently?
Basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. Any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, or Family Subsistence Supplemental allowance payments count as income. If 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 excluded from income.
7. 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 for free or reduced-price meals.
8. Will the Application Information I Give be Checked?
Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the reported household income.
9. My Family Needs More Help. Are There Other Programs We Might Apply For?
To find out how to apply for other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or 2-1-1.
10. Can I Apply Online?
Yes! The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Visit www.nlappscloud.com to begin or to learn more about the online application process. Contact the Student Nutrition Office at 972.968.6390 if you have questions about the online application.