ATTENTION: ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS

• FAMILY APPLICATIONS: Although we are required to send home an application for every child in the county, you need only fill out ONE application for ALL STUDENTS RESIDING IN YOUR HOME.
• ALWAYS TURN IN AN APPLICATION UNLESS YOU RECEIVE A LETTER FROM SCHOOL NUTRITION TELLING YOU NOT TO APPLY.
• You should list all students in the household as well as their social security numbers, school attended and grade level. Please make sure the social security numbers are correct as they may increase the processing time needed to begin your benefits.
• At the bottom of the application, you should write the names of ALL persons living in your home, INCLUDING the students you listed on the top section.
• ALLsources of income should be listed as well so we can calculate HOUSEHOLD income. Any temporary benefits like disability or unemployment should be listed and marked as "temporary".
• The application must be signed by head of household as well as written in clear PRINT to be considered valid. That adult's social security number must also be included on the application before we can process your child's benefits based on income. Should you not have a social security number, simply mark the appropriate box.
• If you are applying based on food stamps or TANF benefits, that case number (not the credit card number) should be written in the appropriate section.
• Each foster child or ward of the state living in the home should have a SEPERATE application complete with child's name, income and the signature of the head of household.
  
• Please recheck your application for accuracy and completeness. Applications that are missing ANY of the required information listed above will be returned to you. This, of course, will increase the amount of time it takes for your application to be processed and any benefits to begin.
• Your FAMILY applicaiton may then be returned to your school. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the application be returned as soon as possible to the cafeteria in order that it may be processed in a timely matter.
  
• If you have any questions, please call the cafeteria manager of the school your child attends or JoAnna Carr at the School Nutrition Program, 384-7280.
• All applications for free and reduced priced meals are calculated as required by federal regulations and requirements. You should be able to predict which, if any, benefits your child qualifies for by reviewing the scale printed on your application based on household size and income. Should you need any assistance in completing the application, please contact your local school, cafeteria manager or the School Nutrition Program listed above. Cafeteria managers' names and phone numbers may be obtained on the Cafeteria Directory page .
• Applications may be obtained from your school or by clicking here. Information and instructions can be downloaded here.

For students who are receiving benefits (eating free or reduced) off of last year's application, those benefits will soon expire. Students who have not applied and been approved for free and reduced benefits by September 7, 2007 will be reinstated to the full price status.

Full price meal charges MUST be paid by the student/parent. According to federal and state guidelines, cafeterias CAN NOT forgive or erase charges that occured; so it is important that you turn in a family application that includes all students in your home as soon as possible. ALWAYS TURN IN AN APPLICATION UNLESS YOU RECIEVE A LETTER FROM SCHOOL NUTRITION TELLING YOU NOT TO APPLY. Once your application has been approved for free or reduced benefits,  those benefits will continue throughout this school year and for the open enrollment period (usually first 20 calendar days of the following school year.