2024-2025 Free & Reduced Instructions

Dear Parents and Guardians,

​The school meals program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). For School Year 2024-2025, our school corporation will process free and reduced-price meal benefit applications. 

The Food Services Department does have the ability to Directly Certify students who receive SNAP, TANF, some Medicaid, are certified as homeless, migrant, or are wards of the state (foster children). Households who are found to be directly certified will be notified in writing of the free or reduced-price meal status prior to the start of school and will not need to complete an application.

Meal benefit applications will not be available until July 1. Households are encouraged to apply before the start of the school year to avoid unpaid meal charges. Students who are not approved for free or reduced-price meal benefits before the start of the school year will be classified as paid status and meal charges may begin to accumulate starting the first day of school. Meal charges accrued before the approval of a meal benefit application will be the responsibility of the household.

You do NOT need to complete an application if:

  • You receive notification that your child(ren) are directly certified.

  • You know your household does not qualify for meal benefits. (Please have money in your child’s account on the first day of school.)

*Applications received prior to July 1 will not be effective for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Thank you,

Kimberly Nieves
Director of Business Affairs and Human Resources
East Porter County School Corporation

______________________________________

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn, East Porter County School Corporation offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.70; lunch costs $2.95 for elementary students and $3.05 for middle/high school students. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch. This packet includes an application for free or reduced price meal benefits, and a set of detailed instructions. Below are some common questions and answers to help you with the application process.

  1. WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE BENEFITS? 

    • All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP (Food Stamps) or TANF, are eligible for free meals.

    • Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. 

    • Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.

    • Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.

    • Children may receive free or reduced benefits if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart. 

FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART For School Year 2024-2025

Household size

Yearly

Monthly

Weekly

1

27,861

2,322

536

2

37,814

3,152

728

3

47,767

3,981

919

4

57,720

4,810

1,110

5

67,673

5,640

1,302

6

77,626

6,469

1,493

7

87,579

7,299

1,685

8

97,532

8,128

1,876

Each additional person:

+9,953

+830

+192

  1. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS HOMELESS, MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY? Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and haven’t been told your children will get free benefits, please call or e-mail Dr. Aaron Case, 219-766-2214, email Dr. Aaron Case 

  2. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD?  No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals 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: Food Service, 502 E. College Ave, Kouts, IN 46347. 219-766-2231 EXT 2020.

  3. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE BENEFITS?  No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Kelsey Rodriguez at kelsey.rodriguez@eastporter.k12.in.us immediately.

  4. CAN I APPLY ONLINE? Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper application if you are able. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Visit your family Skyward account to begin or to learn more about the online application process. Contact Kelsey Rodriguez at kelsey.rodriguez@eastporter.k12.in.us if you have any questions about the online application.

  5. MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR.  DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A NEW ONE?  Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year through September 26, 2024. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free benefits, your child will be charged the full price of curricular fees. 

  6. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF MY CHILDREN RECEIVED FREE OR REDUCED BENEFITS AT THEIR PREVIOUS SCHOOL? If it is the beginning of the school year and you have not been notified that your children will receive free or reduced benefits for the upcoming year, you will need to fill out an application. If your children transferred during the school year and they were receiving free or reduced benefits at the previous school, contact  Kelsey Rodriguez at kelsey.rodriguez@eastporter.k12.in.us immediately. 

  7. I GET WIC. CAN MY CHILDREN GET FREE BENEFITS?  Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced benefits. Please send in an application.

  8. WILL THE INFORMATION I GIVE BE CHECKED? Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report. 

  9. IF I DON’T QUALIFY NOW, MAY I APPLY LATER? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year.  For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced benefits if the household income drops below the income limit.

  10. 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: Dr. Aaron Case, 219-766-2214.

  11. MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN? Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced benefits.  

  12. WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month.  If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes.  If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

  13. WHAT IF SOME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE NO INCOME TO REPORT? Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application, or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write a 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.

  14. WE ARE IN THE MILITARY. DO WE REPORT OUR INCOME DIFFERENTLY? Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income. 

  15. WHAT IF THERE ISN’T ENOUGH SPACE ON THE APPLICATION FOR MY FAMILY?  List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper, and attach it to your application. Contact  Kelsey Rodriguez at kelsey.rodriguez@eastporter.k12.in.us to receive a second application.

  16. MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP. ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR? To find out how to apply for SNAP (Food Stamp) or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 1-800-403-0864.

If you have other questions or need help, email Kelsey Rodriguez at Kelsey.rodriguez@eastporter.k12.in.us.

Sincerely, 

Kelsey Rodriguez, Director of Food Service

Kimberly Nieves, Director of Business Affairs & HR

HOW TO APPLY FOR FREE AND REDUCED BENEFITS

Please use these instructions to help you fill out the application for free or reduced benefits. You only need to submit one application per household, even if your children attend more than one school in the East Porter County School Corporation. The application must be filled out completely to certify your children for free or reduced benefits. Please follow these instructions in order! Each step of the instructions is the same as the steps on your application. If at any time you are not sure what to do next, please contact Kelsey Rodriguez at kelsey.rodriguez@eastporter.k12.in.us

PLEASE USE A PEN (NOT A PENCIL) WHEN FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION AND DO YOUR BEST TO PRINT CLEARLY.

STEP 1: LIST ALL INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND STUDENTS UP TO AND INCLUDING GRADE 12 IN THE HOUSEHOLD

Tell us how many infants, children, and school students live in your household. They do NOT have to be related to you to be a part of your household. 

Who should I list here? When filling out this section, please include ALL members in your household who are: 

  • Children age 18 or under AND are supported with the household’s income;

  • In your care under a foster arrangement, or qualify as homeless, migrant, or runaway youth;

  • Students attending East Porter County School Corporation, regardless of age.

A) List each child’s name. Print each child’s name. Use one line of the application for each child. If there are more children present than lines on the application, attach a second piece of paper with all required information for the additional children.

B) Is the child a student at East Porter County School Corporation ? Mark ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ under the column titled “Student” to tell us which children attend East Porter County School Corporation . If you marked ‘Yes,’ write the name of the school building, birthdate, and grade level of the student in the ‘Grade’ column to the right. 

C) Do you have any foster children? If any children listed are foster children, mark the “Foster Child” box next to the child’s name.  If you are ONLY applying for foster children, after finishing STEP 1, go to STEP 4.

Foster children who live with you may count as members of your household and should be listed on your application. If you are applying for both foster and non-foster children, go to step 3.  

D) Are any children homeless, migrant, or runaway? If you believe any child listed in this section meets this description, mark the “Homeless, Migrant, Runaway” box next to the child’s name and complete all steps of the application.

STEP 2: DO ANY HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS CURRENTLY PARTICIPATE IN SNAP or TANF?

If anyone in your household (including you) currently participates in one or more of the assistance programs listed below, your children are eligible for free school benefits:

  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

A)  If no one in your household participates in any of the above listed programs: 

  • Leave STEP 2 blank and go to STEP 3.

B)  If anyone in your household participates in any of the above listed programs: 

  • Write a case number for SNAP or TANF. You only need to provide one case number. If you participate in one of these programs and do not know your case number, contact: 1-800-403-0864.

  • Go to STEP 4.

STEP 3: REPORT INCOME FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

How do I report my income? 

  • Use the charts titled “Sources of Income for Adults” and “Sources of Income for Children,” located below to determine if your household has income to report.



Sources of Income for Children

  Sources of Child Income

Example(s)

-Earnings from work 

-A child has a regular full or part-time job where they earn a salary or wages

-Social Security

-Disability Payments

-Survivor’s Benefits

-A child is blind or disabled and receives Social Security benefits 

-A parent is disabled, retired, or deceased, and their child receives Social Security benefits

-Income from person outside the household

-A friend or extended family member regularly gives a child spending money

-Income from any other source

-A child receives regular income from a private pension fund, annuity, or trust


Sources of Income for Adults

Earnings from Work

Public Assistance/ Alimony/Child Support

Pension/Retirement/ 

All Other Income

-Salary, wages, cash bonuses

-Net income from self-employment (farm or business)


If you are in the U.S. Military:


-Basic pay and cash bonuses (do NOT include combat pay, FSSA or privatized housing allowances)

-Allowances for off-base housing, food and clothing

-Unemployment benefits

-Worker’s compensation

-Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

-Cash assistance from State or local government

-Alimony payments

-Child support payments

-Veteran’s benefits

-Strike benefits

-Social Security (including railroad retirement and black lunch benefits)

-Private pensions or disability benefits

-Regular income from trusts or estates

-Annuities

-Investment income

-Earned interest

-Rental income

-Regular cash payments from outside household

  • Report all amounts in GROSS INCOME ONLY. Report all income in whole dollars. Do not include cents. 

    • Gross income is the total income received before taxes

    • Many people think of income as the amount they “take home” and not the total, “gross” amount. Make sure that the income you report on this application has NOT been reduced to pay for taxes, insurance premiums, or any other amounts taken from your pay.

  • Write a “0” in any fields where there is no income to report. Any income fields left empty or blank will also be counted as a zero. If you write ‘0’ or leave any fields blank, you are certifying (promising) that there is no income to report. If local officials suspect that your household income was reported incorrectly, your application will be investigated.

  • Mark how often each type of income is received using the check boxes to the right of each field.

3.A REPORT INCOME EARNED BY ADULTS

Who should I list here?

  • When filling out this section, please include ALL adult members in your household who are living with you and share income and expenses, even if they are not related and even if they do not receive income of their own.

  • Do NOT include: 

  • People who live with you but are not supported by your household’s income AND do not contribute income to your household. 

  • Infants, Children and students already listed in STEP 1.

1) List adult household members’ names. Print the name of each household member in the boxes marked “Names of Adult Household Members (First and Last).” Include college students, unless they are declared independently on taxes (all college students are considered adults). Do not list any household members you listed in STEP 1.

2) List earnings from work. Report all income from work in the “Earnings from Work” field on the application. This is usually the money received from working at jobs. If you are a self-employed business or farm owner, you will report your net income.

What if I have multiple jobs? List each job separately by entering your name and income from each job on a new line. Add an additional sheet of paper if necessary.

What if I am self-employed? Report income from that work as a net amount. This is calculated by subtracting the total operating expenses of your business from its gross receipts or revenue. 

If a child listed in Step 1 has income, follow the instructions in Step 3, Part B

3)List income from public assistance/child support/alimony. Report all income that applies in the “Public Assistance/Child Support/Alimony” field on the application. Do not report the cash value of any public assistance benefits NOT listed on the chart. If income is received from child support or alimony, only report court-ordered payments. Informal but regular payments should be reported as “other” income in the next part. 

4) List income from pensions/retirement/all other income. Report all income that applies in the “Pensions/Retirement/ All Other Income” field on the application.

What if I receive income from multiple sources in this category? List each source separately by entering your name and income from each source on a new line. Add an additional sheet of paper if necessary.

5) List total household size. Enter the total number of household members in the field “Total Household Members (Children and Adults).” This number MUST be equal to the number of household members listed in STEP 1 and STEP 3. If there are any members of your household that you have not listed on the application, go back and add them. It is very important to list all household members, as the size of your household affects your eligibility for free and reduced meals.

6) Provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number. An adult household member must enter the last four digits of their Social Security Number in the space provided. You are eligible to apply for benefits even if you do not have a Social Security Number. If no adult household members have a Social Security Number, leave this space blank and mark the box to the right labeled “Check if no SSN.”

3.B REPORT INCOME EARNED BY CHILDREN

A)  Report all income earned or received by children. Report the combined gross income for ALL children listed in STEP 1 in your household in the box marked “Child Income.” Only count foster children’s income if you are applying for them together with the rest of your household. 

What is Child Income? Child income is money received from outside your household that is paid DIRECTLY to your children. Many households do not have any child income.

STEP 4: CONTACT INFORMATION AND ADULT SIGNATURE

All applications must be signed by an adult member of the household. By signing the application, that household member is promising that all information has been truthfully and completely reported. Before completing this section, please also make sure you have read the privacy and civil rights statements on the back of the application.

A) Print and sign your name. Print the name of the adult signing the application and that person signs in the box “Signature of adult.”

B) Provide your contact information. Write your current address in the fields provided if this information is available. If you have no permanent address, this does not make your children ineligible for free or reduced benefits. Sharing a phone number, email address, or both is optional, but helps us reach you quickly if we need to contact you.

C) Mail Completed Form to: East Porter County School Corporation, Attn: Food Service 502 E. College Ave., PO Box 370, Kouts, IN 46347

STEP 5: OTHER BENEFITS – OPTIONAL

The following sections are optional and do not affect your children’s eligibility for free or reduced price benefits. Be sure to fill out A) Textbook Assistance, though, if you do want curricular material fee assistance. If this is left blank then your household will be charged the full price of curricular material fees.  

A) Textbook (Curricular Material) Assistance

If you want to receive textbook assistance, check ‘Yes’ and then read, sign, and date the section to the right. If you do not want to receive textbook assistance, check ‘No’.

B) Hoosier Healthwise Disclosure

If you want to share your child’s free/reduced eligibility in order to qualify for free or low-cost health insurance under Medicaid or Hoosier Healthwise, sign and date this section. 

C)Share children's racial and ethnic identities (optional)

On the back of this application, we ask you to share information about you children's race and ethnicity. This field is optional and does not effect your children's eligibility for free or reduced price school meals. This information is requested solely for the purpose of determining the State's compliance with Federal civil rights laws, and your response will not affect consideration of you application, and may be protected by the Privacy Act.

Please return the application directly to your child's SCHOOL. DO NOT mail, fax, or email completed applications or questions about applications to the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or you child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals will be delayed.

Food Service Application 2024-2025