Free and Reduced Price Meals

Free & Reduced Priced Meals Information

A new application to apply for meal benefits is needed for the 2009-2010 school year.

Apply for Free/Reduced Price Meals Online

Wichita Public Schools is offering a new online free/reduced price meal application that parents can use to apply for meal benefits! A link will take you to a secure website. To apply for meal benefits, the parent or guardian must enter the student’s birthdate and either the name of the student or the student identification number, and then provide the information as required for a valid application. One application is used for all the children in a household. The application is signed electronically to complete the process. As soon as you complete the signature screen you will get a confirmation that you have completed the application showing the names of the children listed as students in the application.

Why use the online application? It is secure and private, and ensures that when all required information is provided the application will be immediately transmitted to the USD 259 Nutrition Services office where it will be evaluated for free/reduced price meal benefits within two business days. Households will receive written notification of benefits, the same as if a paper application was submitted. Your notification of eligibility will be mailed to the address listed in your child's record at the school.

The website includes a Q&A section, as well as complete instructions on how to complete an application for meal benefits. If your children already receive benefits, you do not need to reapply.

To start your Online Meal Application click here.

You will get a confirmation as soon as you complete the last screen that is the signature portion of the online application showing the names of the children listed as students in the application. When you get that confirmation it means you have successfuly completed your online meal application.

If you do not have access to the internet and want to complete an application for benefits, you can contact the school office for a paper application and instructions.

A packet with a paper meal application and instructions was mailed to households on July 20. If you do not have access to the Internet, either at home, work or a public location such as a public library, and cannot complete an application online, please complete the paper application and take it to your child's school.

If your income is within the income guidelines below you may qualify for free or reduced price meals, please complete an application online or a paper application available at your child's school.

INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

HOUSEHOLD SIZE	YEARLY	MONTHLY	WEEKLY
1	$20,036	$1,670	$386
2	$26,955	$2,247	$519
3	$33,874	$2,823	$652
4	$40,793	$3,400	$785
5	$47,712	$3,976	$918
6	$54,631	$4,553	$1,051
7	$61,550	$5,130	$1,184
8	$68,469	$5,706	$1,317
9	$75,388	$6,283	$1,451
10	$82,307	$6,860	$1,585
11	$89,226	$7,437	$1,719
For each additional household member, add	+$6,919	+$577	+$134

Child Nutrition Program Benefits Information

The Child Nutrition Programs at Wichita Public Schools are federally subsidized through the United States Department of agriculture (USDA). Regulations define a household's eligibility to participate on either a full paid, reduced price or free basis. A household's eligibility is based on income eligibility guidelines issued annually by the federal government.

To apply for free or reduced price meals, parents or guardians must complete a Child Nutrition Program Benefits Application each year. Blank applications are distributed to all children at the beginning of the school year and are available upon request throughout the school year. Completed applications are to be returned to the school. The school sends the application to the Nutrition Services main office for determination of eligibility. Nutrition Services mails a letter to households notifying them of meal eligibility.

The income chart provided by USDA is used to determine eligibility for free or reduced priced meals. The guidelines are intended to direct benefits to those children most in need and are revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index. A new application is required every school year from households that want to apply for free or reduced priced meals.

Applications must be complete to be approved and processed.

When completing an application for student(s) qualifying for SNAP(Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) be sure that it has:

the legal names of all the children living in the household attending school;
the SNAP(Food Stamp)/TAF/FDPIR number for each student;
the signature of an adult living in the household.

When completing an application for a foster child, be sure that it has:

the legal name of the foster child with only one foster child per application;
the "foster child" box checked;
the personal use income received by the foster child;
the signature of an adult providing care to the child.

For all other applications be sure that it has:

the legal names and income, with the frequency indicated, of all the children living in the household attending Wichita Public Schools;
the names of all other people living in the household;
the gross income of all other people living in the household listed by source and by person with frequency indicated;
the signature of an adult living in the household;
the social security number of the person signing the application or the indication that the person does not have one.

INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

HOUSEHOLD SIZE	YEARLY	MONTHLY	WEEKLY
1	$20,036	$1,670	$386
2	$26,955	$2,247	$519
3	$33,874	$2,823	$652
4	$40,793	$3,400	$785
5	$47,712	$3,976	$918
6	$54,631	$4,553	$1,051
7	$61,550	$5,130	$1,184
8	$68,469	$5,706	$1,317
9	$75,388	$6,283	$1,451
10	$82,307	$6,860	$1,585
11	$89,226	$7,437	$1,719
For each additional household member, add	+$6,919	+$577	+$134

For questions regarding Free and Reduced Price Meals please call the Nutrition Services Office at 973-2160.