Free and Reduced Program

  • 2023 - 2024 Online Free & Reduced Meal Application

    Expedite the processing of your Free and Reduced Application by submitting it online. Click the link below to enter your 2023 - 2024 free and reduced meal application online.

    We will start accepting paper applications for processing on August 10th, 2023. Paper applications will be available at the School Food Service Office for pick up or at schools on August 10, 2023.

    If you have any questions, please call:  850-429-2974

     

    Free and Reduced Program

    The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as administered by Escambia County School District provide free and reduced-priced meals for children unable to pay the full price.

    Students from households who receive food stamps and/or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and who have a social security number on file at the school may be eligible for a direct certificate. Students approved by direct certification are not required to have an application on file.

    Application forms are sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced certificate meals, parents of students not approved by direct certificate must fill out the application and return it to school. Additional copies are available in the front office.

    Children from households with incomes of less than or equal to the income criteria may be eligible for either free or reduced-priced meals.

    Each school and the school system's Food Services office have copies which are available to the public.

    Important: A new family meal application must be filled out at the beginning of each school year in order for meal benefits to continue. Meal benefits begin on the day the application is approved at the school site and continue throughout the school year in which the application is approved and approximately the first thirty days of next school year. Any student who does not have a current application on file at the school site will be unable to receive meal benefits after September 21, 2023.
     

    Frequently Asked Questions regarding completing a Free and Reduced Meal Application
     
    Students from households that meet Federal Guidelines are eligible for free lunch or reduced price of lunch ($.40). Full price, students pay $2.25 in elementary school and $2.50 in secondary schools. Students from households that meet Federal Guidelines are eligible for free breakfast or reduced breakfast ($.30). Full price, students pay $1.25 in elementary school and $1.50 in secondary schools. Below are questions frequently asked concerning Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications.
     

    1. Do I need to fill out an application for each of my children? No. Use one Free and Reduced Price Meal Application for all students in your household.
    1. What happens if I do not complete all the information on my application? We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to the school where your youngest child attends.
    1. How do I report my household income? You must report the gross income amount of each member of your household. In addition, you must fill in the appropriate pay frequency circle.

          (W= Weekly, E= Every 2 weeks, T= Twice a Month, M=Monthly,)
     

    1. Who qualifies for free lunch? Children in households receiving Food Stamps or TANF and foster children qualify for free lunch regardless of their household income. Also, your children will qualify for free lunch if your household income is within the limits of the Income Eligibility Guidelines.
    1. Who qualifies for a reduced price of lunch? Your children can be approved for low-cost lunch if your household income is within the reduced price meal limits on the Federal Income Chart shown on the application.
    1. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives or friends). You must include yourself and the children who live with you.
    1. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
    1. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally receive $1,000 each month, but you worked less last month and only got paid $900, write $1,000 per month on the application. If you normally receive overtime, include it, but not if the overtime is only occasional.