FAQ's: Free and Reduced Application
WHO CAN GET FEDERAL FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS?
All children in households receiving benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, TANF or FDPIR, are eligible for free meals.
Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on the Federal Eligibility Income or Oregon Expanded income group chart.
WHO CAN GET OREGON EIG NO-COST MEALS?
Children attending public schools in Oregon may receive no-cost meals if your household income is within the limits on the Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines. Your children may qualify for no-cost meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on the chart below:
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS HOMELESS, MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY?
Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement?Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe any children in your household meet these descriptions and you have not been told your children will receive free meals, please go to McKinney Vento page.
SOME SCHOOLS OFFER NO COST MEALS TO ALL STUDENTS WITHOUT FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SCHOOLS DO NOT REQUIRE AN APPLICATION?
The following schools are participating in a provision that offers meals at no charge to all students. Students attending OCSLA and Jackson Prep will receive no charge meals without completing an application.
DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD?
No, fill out one Free and Reduced Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: your child’s school office or email: jeff.ralston@orecity.k12.or.us
DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A DIFFERENT APPLICATION TO QUALIFY FOR THE OREGON EIG NO-COST MEALS?
No, use one meal application for both federal and Oregon EIG benefits.
SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS?
No, but please read the letter carefully and verify all children are listed on the letter. If any children in your household were not listed on your eligibility notification, contact the Nutrition Services Office at (503) 785-8440 Ext.7711 or jeff.ralston@orecity.k12.or.us immediately.
CAN I APPLY ONLINE?
Yes, you are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper application if you can. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Apply at OCSD Nutrition page under “Free and Reduced Meals Application” which will direct you to the ODE website to apply.
To learn more about the online application process contact Nutrition Services Office at (503) 785-8440 Ext.7711 or email: jeff.ralston@orecity.k12.or.us, if you have any questions about the online application.
MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR, DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A NEW ONE? Yes, your child’s application is only good for last year and for the first few days of this school year, through October 14, 2022. You must send in a new application unless notified that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.
I PARTICIPATE IN WIC; CAN MY CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please send in an application to your student's school or email to: jeff.ralston@orecity.k12.or.us
WILL THE INFORMATION I GIVE BE CHECKED?
Yes, we may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report. (Not applicable to Oregon EIG eligible applications)
IF I DON’T QUALIFY NOW, MAY I APPLY LATER?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible if the household income drops below the income limit.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE SCHOOL’S DECISION ABOUT MY APPLICATION?
You may ask for a hearing by contacting (503) 785-8030 Ext. 8543 or email: Michael.Sweeten@orecity.k12.or.us (Not applicable to Oregon EIG eligibility decisions)
MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply.
WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
WHAT IF SOME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE NO INCOME TO REPORT?
Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write a zero (0) in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
WHAT IF THERE ISN’T ENOUGH SPACE ON THE APPLICATION FOR MY FAMILY?
List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper and attach it to your application. Or contact Nutrition Services office at (503) 785-8440 Ext 7711 to receive a second application.
WE ARE IN THE MILITARY. DO WE REPORT OUR INCOME DIFFERENTLY?
Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP, ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR?
To find out how to apply for (SNAP) benefits or other assistance benefits, or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 2-1-1 or 1-800-SAFENET (723-3638). For food assistance call 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY). In the summertime, Text “FOOD” to 877877 or visit ODE’s Summer Food Program for free summer meal options in your area.
If you have other questions or need help, call Nutrition Services office at (503) 785-8440 Ext. 7711.
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