Applying for School Meal Benefits

Here’s what you need to know.

 

It’s that time of year again: Meal applications for the National School Lunch Program are open and ready for you to complete for the 2022-2023 school year.

Over the last two years, congress allowed school food authorities to offer all meals to school children for free to reduce the burden on families during the covid-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, congress didn’t vote to extend the waivers to school food authorities for the 2022-2023 school year. On June 30, 2022, the provision for free meals for all children ended.

This means Child Nutrition Services must start collecting payments for meals we serve to your child starting the first day of school.

This includes all students that don’t have a current (2022-2023) meal benefits application on file.

But don’t worry.

We’ve got everything you need to know to complete the meal benefits application for your family. Read on for details and links to the online meal application. 

 

What is a school meal benefit application?

 

 

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide your child with nutritious balanced meals at school to fuel their academic learning and success. The meals offered to your child may be low cost or no-cost to you. 

St. Lucie Public Schools offers universal free breakfast to all students during the 2022-2023 school year. To see if your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch meals, you need to complete a household application for meal benefits.

The United States Department of Agriculture requires the meal benefits application to be completed each year, starting July 1. You can complete the application any time during the school year and you can complete the meal benefits application more than once if your family’s situation changes.

 

What if I completed an application for the last school year?

 

If your child was eligible for free or reduced cost meals during the 2021-2022 school year, the USDA allows the free or reduced cost meals to continue for the first 30 active school days while you complete the meal benefits application for the 2022-2023 school year.

This grace period for completing the meal benefits application for the new school year ends on September 30, 2022. If your child doesn’t have an approved meal benefit application for the 2022-2023 school year on file, they will pay full price for meals starting October 1, 2022.

You can still complete a meal benefits application for the 2022-2023 school year.

 

What benefits will my child receive if I complete the meal benefits application?

 

 

Besides your child receiving a free or reduced meal benefit, your child may be eligible for:

• Discounted college application fee.
• Discount waivers for SAT/ACT/PSAT/AP exams.
• Discounted bus passes, internet service, phone service (for parents & students).
• Delicious meals at school to fuel academic learning and success.

What benefits will my child’s school receive if I complete the meal benefits application?

 

 

Every application completed is so much more than a free or reduced meal for your child.

Eligible applications provide additional funding for St. Lucie Public Schools as:

• Increased state and federal funding for your child’s school.
• Discounted internet fees/cost to your child’s school.
• Increased after school enrichment program funding for your child.
• Resources for your child’s teacher and classroom.

Who should complete the meal benefits application?

 

INCOME ELIGIBILITY CHART 2022-2023

 

• If you care for a foster child, ‌complete a meal benefits application.
• If you are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, complete a meal benefits application.
• If you receive Medicaid, complete a meal benefits application.
• If you’re part of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), complete a meal benefits application.
• If you receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), complete a meal benefits application.

Every eligible family should complete a meal benefits application if you are income eligible.

 

Why should I complete a meal benefits application?

 

 

• It takes less than 10 minutes to complete. 
• One application per family.
• No fee charged to complete the meal benefits application on-line or on paper. It’s completely free.
• It’s safe and confidential. Your information is private. 

Use our online meal benefits application for the quickest, error-free way to apply.

You can pick up a paper application from your child’s school, complete in full, and return to your child’s cafeteria manager.

Closing thoughts

 

 

We hope the information provided above encourages you to complete the meal benefits application for your child.

Child Nutrition Services provides hot meals that taste great to fuel your child’s academic success.

If you have ‌questions, send us an email at mealapplication@stlucieschools.org

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.