OSPI NEWS RELEASE: Eligible Families Strongly Encouraged to Apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Programs

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 10/06/2020 10:01 AM PDT

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Eligible Families Strongly Encouraged to Apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Programs

While all students may be provided free meals through the end of December, it is still critical that eligible families complete the application this fall.

OLYMPIA—October 6, 2020—Many students across Washington state rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs. As the economic impacts of COVID-19 continue, more families are taking advantage of free meals provided by school districts.

School districts across the state are able to provide free meals to all children aged 0–18, or older if enrolled in the K–12 school system, through the end of December 2020, thanks to waivers granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, once the funds run out at the end of the calendar year, many students will still need access to free or reduced-price meals from their school.

Families are strongly encouraged to complete a School Meal Application now, which determines a student’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.

The application process is simple and confidential. There are no citizenship requirements for participation, and immigration status is not requested or disclosed.

Information obtained from meal applications is used to determine student eligibility for a number of school programs. In addition, the information drives funding and supports to schools.

All households with students in grades K–12 receive application packets at the beginning of the school year. The application packet provides instructions and directions on where to send the applications.

In addition, many schools make meal applications available electronically. Application review and determinations are made within 10 operating days of receipt of the application. Households denied eligibility can appeal the decision by contacting their school.

Applications can be submitted any time during the school year. Households that experience a change in income due to job loss or other circumstances are encouraged to apply.

Many school districts are offering alternative methods of meal distribution in the 2020–21 school year to match current educational models used in the district. Families should contact their local school district to find out how meals are being offered.

Eligibility

Students receiving help through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Basic Food Program – as well as all other students in the same household – automatically qualify for free meals. Children participating in specific Medicaid programs may also qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with a list of children who receive these services to facilitate automatic eligibility. Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the school if the household chooses to decline the free meal benefits.

Foster children are eligible for free meal benefits. Children placed in foster care are also included in the list provided to OSPI. In households where foster children reside, all other students in the household may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. In these situations, households may submit an application.

Students experiencing homelessness, students enrolled in Migrant Education Programs, households taking part in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and students in Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program are eligible for free meals. Families should contact their 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 contacts the school or district.

Households needing assistance with applications materials in languages other than English should contact their school for assistance.

The income eligibility guidelines listed below are used to determine the eligibility of children to receive free or reduced-price meals or free milk. Washington state legislation pays the cost of lunch for public school students eligible for reduced-price meals in grades K‒3 and the cost of breakfast for public school students eligible for reduced-price meals in grades K‒12.

USDA Child Nutrition Program Income Guidelines

The following income guidelines for eligibility for free meals and reduced-price meals apply from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

Free Meals

Household Size	Annual	Monthly	Twice Per Month	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	$16,588	$1,383	$692	$638	$319
2	$22,412	$1,868	$934	$862	$431
3	$28,236	$2,353	$1,177	$1,086	$543
4	$34,060	$2,839	$1,420	$1,310	$655
5	$39,884	$3,324	$1,662	$1,534	$767
6	$45,708	$3,809	$1,905	$1,758	$879
7	$51,532	$4,295	$2,148	$1,982	$991
8	$57,536	$4,780	$2,390	$2,206	$1,103
For each additional family member, add:	$5,824	$486	$243	$224	$112

Reduced-Price Meals

Household Size	Annual	Monthly	Twice Per Month	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	$23,606	$1,968	$984	$908	$454
2	$31,894	$2,658	$1,329	$1,227	$614
3	$40,182	$3,349	$1,675	$1,546	$773
4	$48,470	$4,040	$2,020	$1,865	$933
5	$56,758	$4,730	$2,365	$2,183	$1,092
6	$65,046	$5,421	$2,711	$2,502	$1,251
7	$73,334	$6,112	$3,056	$2,821	$1,411
8	$81,622	$6,802	$3,401	$3,140	$1,570
For each additional family member, add:	$8,288	$691	$346	$319	$160

If you have questions about eligibility, please contact your child’s school.

Schools with more than 25% of the enrolled K–4 students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals are required to operate the National School Lunch Program. In addition, schools with more than 40% of enrolled students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals are required to operate the School Breakfast Program.

For More Information

Child Nutrition Programs in Washington state, including applications for free and reduced-price meals
National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program
Special Milk Program

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Email: intake@usda.gov.

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Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

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