It’s back to school time, and one of the forms we send home with students during the first week of school is the application for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. With unemployment at recent record highs, there are many more families that could be taking advantage of this program, but may not be aware that they could benefit.
For example, did you know that:
• a family of 4 with an income of $40,793 or less qualifies for reduced lunches?
• a family of 3 with an income of $23,803 or less qualifies for free lunches?
Given a school lunch costing $2.20 per day, that can mean almost $400 in savings per student. In addition, students in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program also qualify for having school fees and field trip costs either reduced or waived.
Follow below for the link to see the full income eligibility guidelines AND how you can take advantage of the program without embarrassing your favorite student.
Times are tough, and many families are being pushed to the brink. We have three teachers' families who have applied for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, this year, due to spouses losing their jobs.
Even if you think you may not be eligible, I encourage you to take a look at the guideline table. Simply click on the link below and select the 2009 - 2010 link.
Free and Reduced Lunch Eligibility Guidelines
FAQ's
- Do children in the program get made fun of by other students? Most schools have gone to a PIN code punch system for lunches. ALL students punch in a number, so no one ever knows that the lunch fee was reduced or free. Check with your school about it.
- Do teachers make a point of which students get fees and field trips waived? Not if they plan on continuing to be a teacher. It is a confidential matter, and NOT to be shared in any way.
- What if my child doesn't bring a form home? Call the school, or go there and fill it out. Most of our parents who participate bring the form in directly, since they don't want their child being responsible for bringing it in.
- What if I get a job and/ or a better job? I guess you could call into the office and opt out, but it's not like there are free lunch police that I know of.
- Does my child even have to know that I've signed them up? If there is a key punch system, probably not.
- What about free breakfasts? Free lunch students also get free breakfast.
If you have any other questions, please ask away in the comments section. I hope might be helpful. A few hundred extra dollars can buy shoes, a warm coat, school supplies ...