Iowa finalizes policy for free and reduced school meals

The Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services has finalized its policy for free and reduced price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program and the Afterschool Care Snack Program.

Families are eligible to receive free meals if their income is at or below $18,954 for one member, $25,636 for two members, $32,318 for three members, and for each additional family member, an additional $6,682 in income is allowed. For instance, a family of eight can still receive free meals if their income is below $65,728.

To receive reduced price meals, a family of one qualifies at or below $26,973, a family of two at $36,482, a family of three at $45,991, and for each additional family member, an extra $9,509 is allowed.

When known by the school, households will be notified of any child eligible for free meals if the children are enrolled in the Head Start/Even Start program or are considered homeless, migrant or runaway. If any children are not listed on the notice of eligibility, contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits. If households are dissatisfied with the application approval done by the officials, they may make a formal appeal either orally or in writing to the school’s designated hearing official. The policy statement on file at the school contains an outline of the hearing procedure. School officials may verify the information in the application, and that deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal criminal statutes. Households should contact their local school for additional information.

There will be no discrimination against individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the school meal programs.