Free and Reduced-Price Meal Plans

We must RETURN any incomplete applications so
please read the instructions carefully

Meal prices

Schools serving breakfast

Who is eligible?

Download information about the 2011-12 child nutrition program (PDF)

The household size and income criteria listed below are used to determine eligibility for the 2011-12 school year.  This income chart is adjusted each year by the federal government.

• Children from households whose size and income is at or below the criteria are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals for the school year effective July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012. Income plus Permanent Fund Dividend information will be totaled and annualized.
• A household or family is defined as a group of related or unrelated individuals who are living as one economic unit.
• Children who are members of households that are approved for Food Stamps or Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance to Native Families (TANF) are automatically eligible for free meals, but we must have an application or an electronic import.
• Foster children, as the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court, may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the household income where they reside. Again, an application is required.
• You may apply for benefits anytime during the school year.  If you are not eligible now, but have a change, such as decrease in household income, (send written verification of same), an increase in household size, become unemployed or start to receive Food Stamps or Alaska Temporary Assistance for your children, complete a new application.
  

Federal Income Chart

Where do I obtain meal applications?

Applications are located at all schools, at the ASD Education Center and Student Nutrition, or it may be downloaded from the district website here.

Do I need to fill out an application for each child?

No. Use one application for all of this district’s elementary, middle school and high school students in your household for whom you are applying.

Who can get free meals?

Children in households receiving State benefits (SNAP/TANF) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations can get free meals regardless of household income.  Also, your children can get free meals if your household’s gross income and Permanent Fund Dividend income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

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, regardless of the household income.

Can homeless, runaway, and migrant children get free meals? 

Yes, children who meet these definitions qualify for free meals.  If you haven’t been advised that your children in above categories will receive free meals, please call the Homeless Liaison at 742-3933 or Migrant Education at 742-4275.

Who can get reduced price meals? 

Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within reduced price limits on the Federal Eligibility Income Guidelines.

What is an electronic import? 

Through our computer system, we regularly receive lists from Public Assistance and Migrant Education of students directly certified as
eligible for free meals, which we confirm in a letter to the family.

If we are notified that our child is free through the electronic import method, do we need to complete an application?

No.

My child was on the lunch program last year.  Do I need to fill out another application? 

Yes, as last year’s application status will last only a few days of the new school year.  We need a new application each year.

Will the information I give be checked?

Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.

Our income this year is identical to last year, when the children were free.  Why are they reduced this year?

This is very common.  The Federal Income Guidelines change every year, as do the Permanent Fund Dividend amounts if they apply.

What if my income is not always the same?

List the amount you normally get.  For example, if you normally get $1000 per month, but missed some work last month and only received $900, list the $1,000 per month.  If you normally receive overtime list it, but not if you receive it only sometimes.  If your household income drops during the school year, send verification of your new income with a new application.

Why is student income a requirement?

We must have income for the entire household.  Many children have income from estates, trusts, survivor benefits, etc., besides any real wages.

We are in the military, do we include our housing allowance as income?

If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.  All other entitlements must be included besides your gross base pay.

My spouse is deployed to a combat zone.  Is their combat pay counted as income? 

No, if the combat pay is received in addition to their basic pay because of their deployment, and it wasn’t received before they were deployed, combat pay is not counted as income.  Contact Student Nutrition for more information.

Who should I include as members of my household?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not, who share income and expenses.  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.

May I apply if someone in my household is not a US citizen?

Yes, you or your children do not have to be US citizens to qualify for this program.

How do I apply if we are staying temporarily with another family?

The Child In Transition Program (phone: 742-3833) will handle the meal application for you if your child(ren) qualify.  If not, this meal program requires that you apply by listing the entire household and income information on all household members.

Why are applications returned to households?

Usually because the application is not completed as required.  Illegible applications must also returned.  Please note that if any child for whom you are applying is not yet in the school registration system, the application is delayed.

If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?

Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year.  If you report less income than a previous application, complete a new application and send information to verify the new income.

How long does it take to process an application?

Allow 10 working days for processing.

Why are there some schools that feed children free automatically?

These are special Provision Schools determined by government requirements.  These schools are: Alaska Native Charter, Clark Middle School, Fairview, Mt. Iliamna, Mt. View, Muldoon, North Star, Ptarmigan, Russian Jack, Wm. Tyson, Whaley, Williwaw, Willow Crest and Wonder Park elementary schools.

Do I have to complete a new application if my child transfers from one District school to another?

No, unless a child has been at one of the special Provision schools mentioned above, and transfers to a non-Provision school, which are all other District schools.  In that case, an application is required.

What if I disagree with the status my application determines?

Your application will be processed according to federal guidelines.  If you wish to ask for a hearing, you may call or write to Dr. Brent Rock, Director, Student Nutrition, 1307 Labar Street, Anchorage, AK 99515.

What if my child has special dietary needs?

If your child has been determined by a doctor to have a condition that would result in a disability that prevents your child from eating the regular meals, the school may make substitutions prescribed by a doctor.

Are there any additional benefits our family may eligible for?

Yes, Health Insurance, Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), and the District’s Child in Transition Program (The Homeless Project).

Denali KidCare: Call 1-888-318-8890 or (Anchorage) 269-6529 for information and an application for free health insurance for children, teens and pregnant women.

WIC: Call 1-800-478-2221 for information on how to apply for free food benefits and nutrition education for pregnant, post­partum/ breastfeeding women, infants and children under 5 years. If approved for free or reduced-price meals, you may take your approval letter with you to WIC for documentation for benefits.

Anchorage School District Child in Transition/Homeless Project: Call 742-3833 for assistance.