School Meal Applications

Students in all grade levels from K through high school are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits. If your family meets the income guidelines or if you receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) you may qualify for benefits.
Sharing Information
Students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals may also be eligible to receive fee reductions or waivers for other services. When you receive notification regarding your eligibility you will receive a Sharing Information document, if you sign and submit the "Permission to Share" form it will allow us to share the information with other departments that have programs that could be a benefit to your child.

DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD? No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information.

MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT ANOTHER ONE? Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.

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) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically Independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro‐rated share of expenses), do not include them.

 WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME? List the gross 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 gross current income. If your Income changes during the school year you may reapply for benefits.

CAN FOSTER CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS? Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.

Jeanne Johnson
Food Service Director
Dedham Public Schools
781-326-7872