Free & Reduced Lunches

Children need healthy meals to learn. The School District of Springfield Township offers healthy meals every school day. Lunch costs $2.50 High School, $2.35 Middle School and $2.10 Elementary Schools. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is .40 for lunch.

1. Do I need to fill 1out an application for each child?
   No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one Free or Reduced Price Household 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. Return the completed application to the school office or cafeteria manager.
2. Who can receive free meals?
   Children in households receiving Food Stamps or TANF and most foster children can receive free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can receive free meals if your household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.
3. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children receive free meals?
   Please call [school, homeless liaison or migrant coordinator] to see if your child(ren) qualify(s), if you have not been informed that they will receive free meals.
4. Who can receive reduced price meals?
   Your children can receive low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Chart, shown on this application.
5. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced price meals?
   Please read the letter you received carefully and follow the instructions. Call the Food Service at 215-233-6000, Ext. 1009 if you have questions.
6. I receive WIC. Can my child(ren) receive free meals?
   Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.
7. Will the information I give be checked?
   Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.
8. If I don't qualify now, may I apply later?
   Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start getting Food Stamps or TANF. If you lose your job, your children may be able to receive free or reduced price meals.
9. What if I disagree with the school's decision about my application?
   You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Victor Orlando, Business Administrator at 215-233-6000, Ext.1002
10. 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 a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced price meals.
11. 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 all children who live with you.
12. What if my income is not always the same?
    List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally receive $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only received $900, put down that you receive $1000 per month. If you normally receive overtime, include it, but not if you receive it only sometimes. List the gross income each person earned from work. This is not the same as take-home pay. Gross income is the amount earned before taxes and other deductions.
13. 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 allowances must be included in your gross income.

If you have other questions or need help, call 215-233-6000, Ext. 1009

Instructions for Applying

If your household receives FOOD STAMPS OR TANF, follow these instructions:

Part 1: List child(ren)'s name, school, grade, and a Food Stamp or TANF case number.
Part 2: Check the appropriate box, if any.
Part 3: Skip this part.
Part 4: Skip this part.
Part 5: Sign the form. A Social Security Number is not necessary.
Part 6: Answer this question if you choose to.

If the child(ren) is/are Migrant, Homeless or Runaway:
Check the appropriate box and contact your school, homeless liaison, and migrant coordinator. Fill out application by following instructions for ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS.

If you are applying for a FOSTER CHILD, follow these instructions:

Part 1: Use a separate application for each foster child. List the child's name, school, and grade.
Part 2: Skip this part.
Part 3: Check the box and list the child's personal use monthly income, if any.
Part 4: Skip this part.
Part 5: Sign the form. A Social Security Number is not necessary.
Part 6: Answer this question if you choose to.

ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS, including WIC households, follow these instructions:

Part 1: List each child's name, school, and grade.
Part 2: Check the appropriate box, if any.
Part 3: Skip this part.
Part 4: Follow these instructions to report total household income from last month.
Column 1-Name: List the first and last name of each person living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children living with you. Attach another sheet of paper if you need to.
Column 2-Gross income last month and how often it was received. Next to each person's name list each type of income received last month, and how often it was received. For example, Earnings from work: List the gross income each person earned from work. This is not the same as take-home pay. Gross income is the amount earned before taxes and other deductions. The amount should be listed on your pay stub, or your boss can tell you. Next to the amount, write how often the person received it (weekly, every other week, twice a month, or monthly). All other income: List the amount each person received last month from welfare, child support, alimony, (second column) pensions, retirement, Social Security (third column), and ALL OTHER INCOME (fourth column). In the All Other Income column, include Worker's Compensation, unemployment, strike benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran's benefits (VA benefits), disability benefits, regular contributions from people who do not live in your household, and ANY OTHER INCOME. Report net income for self-owned business, farm, or rental income. Next to the amount, write how often the person received it. If you are in the Military Housing Privatization Initiative do not include this housing allowance.
Column 3-Check if no income: If the person does not have any income, check the box. Part 5: An adult household member must sign the form and list his or her Social Security Number, or mark the box if he or she doesn't have one.
Part 6: Answer this question if you choose to.

Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income falls within the limits on this chart.

FEDERAL INCOME CHART
For School Year 2005-2006

Privacy Act Statement: This explains how we will use the information you give us.
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced price meals. You must include the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Food Stamp Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number. We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

Non-Discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-94 10 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Application is in PDF format. Please print it out and fill it in.