Families need to apply for free and reduced meals again
By Ted Pennekamp
Area school districts received free meals for everyone from March of 2020 to June 30, 2021 due to the pandemic. Beginning this school year, however, the meals program is going back to its original format and families will once again need to fill out an application.
“We have opened up the application process for the National School Lunch Program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),” said Prairie du Chien School District Food Service Director William Zeeh. Zeeh noted that applications need to be turned in by Aug. 14. School begins in the Prairie du Chien District on Sept. 1.
“I want to stress that it’s important that people need to apply,” said Zeeh. “If you feel your family might be eligible for free and reduced benefits, please apply.”
Zeeh said free and reduced lunch applications are part of the total registration process.
Zeeh said people seeking more information from the Prairie du Chien School District can contact Secretary Brooke Teynor at 326-3721 or District Administrator Andy Banasik at 326-3702.
In 2019, 39 percent of children qualified for free or subsidized lunches across the 424 Wisconsin school districts participating in the USDA’s child nutrition programs, according to the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
For the 2021-22 school year, nearly every school in the state chose to offer universal free meals through the “Seamless Summer Option” according to the DPI.
But, the federal waiver that permitted universal free school meals expired on June 30, and legislation to extend or permanently implement a free meals program has stalled at the state and federal levels.
People have not had to necessarily complete application forms since the start of the pandemic, but now they do once again.
In addition to helping families, the applications also help each school district.
“Schools receive significant amounts of state funding that is directly tied to the number of eligible free and reduced households, so it is very important that families fill out the application,” explained Seneca District Administrator David Boland. “Even if households choose not to participate in the program, they will still benefit their school community by applying. Also, a reminder that even if you are not eligible at the start of the school year, and your income drops at any time during the year, you can fill out the application and qualify.”
“Yes, families will need to apply again,” said River Ridge District Administrator Clay Koenig. “We have the form included in our registration process for everyone to fill out. It is a benefit to the school and the families to fill out the form. It only takes a few minutes and can make a huge impact for the families that need it the most.”
Application forms have been sent to all homes with a notice to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced price meals or free milk, households must fill out the application and return it to the school (unless notified at the start of the school year that children are eligible through direct certification). Additional copies are available at the office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
To obtain free or reduced price meals or free milk for children in a household where one or more household members receive FoodShare, FDPIR, or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, list the names of all school children, sign the application, and return it to the school office.
For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals or free milk of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide the following information requested on the application: names of all household members, total number of household members, and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security number or mark the box to the right of “Check if no SSN.” Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source (wages, welfare, child support, etc.).
Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal and free milk policy, school district officials will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district administrators.
If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals or free milk if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above, and they may reapply at that time.
Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application. Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children.
The information provided by the household on the application is confidential. Public Law 103-448 limits the release of student free and reduced price school meal eligibility status to people directly connected with the administration and enforcement of federal or state educational programs. Consent of the parent/guardian is needed for other purposes such as waiver of textbook fees.
