Free and reduced-price meal benefit applications for the 2023-24 school year are available for families with students enrolled in Vassalboro Community School, Waterville public schools or Winslow schools which are participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Meals will be provided to enrolled students at no charge in Maine public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program due to Maine Legislation.

While meals are provided for no charge, people should complete the School Year 2024 free and reduced-price meal benefit application. Students may be eligible for additional benefits, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer EBT program.

To apply, people should fill out a Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefit Application and return it their local school district. The information provided on the application is confidential.

Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility. A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of Social Security number or indication of no Social Security number of the adult household member signing the application. School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.

If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible.

Households will be notified of their children’s eligibility status for free or reduced price meals. If any children were not listed on the eligibility notice for families receiving SNAP, TANF or FDPIR, the household should contact the school to have free meal benefits extended to those children.

If any children were not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact their local school district to have free meal benefits extended to those children.

A school official will review the application and determine eligibility. If a parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district’s hearing official.

For more information, call the schools’ Child Nutrition Department at 207-873-2751, ext. 4739.

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