APPLICATION PROCESS: FREE OR REDUCED MEAL BENEFITS

Students may buy lunch for $ 2.25 (elementary), $ 2.50 (middle and high school); breakfast for $ 1.25 (elementary) and $ 1.50 (middle school and high school). Children who qualify for free or reduced price meals receive meals free of charge.

All families who wish to apply for free or reduced meal benefits with the Seattle Public Schools are encouraged to fill out and submit a new application prior to the start of each new school year. Applications for the upcoming school year are mailed to the home address of all registered students approximately four weeks before school starts. Copies of applications may also be downloaded from the Nutrition Service's web site by clicking on the link below.

F&R Application Instructions & Forms for Current School Year

Once an application is completed, it should be mailed directly to the Nutrition Service's Office before school starts. This will allow the application to be processed and the correct eligibility established before school starts. The envelope should be addressed to:

Nutrition Services
2445 3rd Ave S
MS 32-372
P.O. Box 3465
Seattle, WA 98124-1165

Once school starts, applications can be turned into your child(ren)'s school lunchroom or mailed to the Nutrition Services Office. Applications turned into a school lunchroom are sent directly to the Nutrition Services Office for processing.

It is important that submitted applications are accurate and completely filled out so they can be processed in a timely manner. The following information is provided to help you understand the application process and how each section of the application should be completed. You can go directly to any of the sections listed below simply by clicking on the corresponding link. Please contact the Nutrition Services Office at 206-252-0675 if you have questions or need additional assistance.

DEFINITIONS:

• Household size is defined as "All persons, including parents, children, grandparents and all people related or unrelated who live in your home and share living expenses"

• Total Household Income is defined as " wages, social security, welfare, unemployment, child support, alimony and other case income from all household members"

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

If your household income is the SAME or LESS than the amount on the Income Chart below (page 3 of actual application), or you receive Basic Food, take part in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for your children or are applying for a Foster Child YOU SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPLICATION.

INFORMATION NEEDED ON THE APPLICATION?

Depending on your household situation, the information that is required on the application form varies. Review the three household categories below to determine how your family must complete the application. Each of the categories includes a list of the specific information that must be provided for the application form to be valid. Click on the links below and you will see an example of how the form should be filled out for each household category.

A. Instructions for Households that do not receive Basic Food, TANF or FDPIR:

• SECTION 1: List Name(s) of your Child or Children that are enrolled in Seattle Public Schools
  
  
• SECTION 2: List Names of all household members INCLUDING children listed as enrolled along with their gross income by source. Indicate if the income is monthly, weekly, every two weeks or twice a month. Benefits are based on family size and combined income so it is important everyone is listed.
  
  
• SECTION 3: SKIP
  
  
• SECTION 4: Adult household member completing the application must print and sign their name, write in the date, and provide their social security number, home address, and both their home and work phone numbers. If the adult member completing the application does not have a social security number they must check the box "I do not have a social security number"
  
• OTHER GREAT REASONS TO APPLY (BACK SIDE OF APPLICATION FORM): Check the boxes of the additional school benefits you would like to receive for your child(ren) if they qualify for free or reduced price meal benefits and add your signature and date below the checked boxes. NOTE: YOU MUST COMPLETE AND HAVE YOUR APPLICATION FOR FREE & REDUCED MEALS APPROVEDTO QUALIFY THESE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

If your child(ren) qualifies for free or reduced price meal benefits, there may be additional benefits available to them such as discounts or "0" costs for some services. The benefits that are currently available include:

• ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS
• COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS
• RUNNING START BOOKS
• ATHLETIC FEES
• ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY (ASB) FEE
• EVENT FEES
• PRE-COLLEGE EXAMS (PSAT/SAT/ACT)
• COLLEGE APPLICATION FEES
• ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN TUITION
• FIELD TRIPS
• SUMMER PROGRAMS AND CAMPS
• MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION FEE

PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY:

The information you provide may be verified at any time. You may be asked to send information to prove your child(ren) is/are eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals

HEARING ON DECISION:

If you do not agree with the decision on your child(ren)'s application or the process used to prove income eligibility, you may talk with Carlyn Rorke, the fair hearing official. You have the right to a fair hearing which may be arranged by calling or writing Carlyn Rorke, Nutrition Services, 2445 Third Avenue South, PO Box 34165, Seattle, WA 98124-1165, Telephone (206) 252-0675

REAPPLYING FOR BENEFITS:

You may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If you should have a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, or become unemployed, or receive basic food, FDPIR or TANF, you may be eligible for benefits and may fill out an application at that time.

Click here for past statistics of students approved for F&R meals in Seattle School District

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Page Updated 09/27/2009 : taogg@seattleschools.org