An application and supporting income documentation is required at the beginning of each school year. Even if your student(s) received free and reduced assistance last year, you will still need to submit a new application within 30 operating days of the first day of school. Failure to submit a new application within the first 30 operating days of the new school year will result in your student(s) being dropped from all forms of assistance.
Please send in a hard copy of this school year's free & reduced application, with supporting income documentation, completed and signed, to: Child Nutrition Department, 2400 North Carroll Ave., Southlake, TX 76092 (817/949-8240)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
A: No. Complete one application to apply for free or reduced-priced meals for all children in the household. We cannot approve an incomplete application. Be sure to fill out all required information, listing all household members, and including supporting income documentation.
Q: How do you qualify for free meals?
A: Income Documentation - children can get free or reduced-price meals if a household's gross income (total, without deductions) is within the limits described in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines
A: Categorical Eligible Participants - children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are eligible for free meals
A: Foster - foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals
A: Head Start or Early Head Start - children participating in these programs are eligible for free meals
A: Homeless, Runaway, and Migrant - children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals
Approval
The CISD Child Nutrition Department processes all applications. An official “Letter of Household Approval of Benefits” will be sent to the address on the application, with indication of approval or denial of benefits. Most applications are processed within 10 working days. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please contact the Child Nutrition office (817-949-8240).
Please maintain and present your “Letter of Approval of Household Benefits” proof of eligibility for: free and reduced price meal program, eligibility for CISD pre-k program, waivers for pay-to-ride, & other CISD programs that may be campus specific.
