Utah Policy for Free and Reduced-Price Meals in the 2023-2024 School Year Announced

Utah Policy for Free and Reduced-Price Meals in the 2023-2024 School Year Announced

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah State Board of Education announced their policy for free and reduced-price meals and free milk for children unable to pay the full price of meals/milk served under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, After School Snack, and/or Special Milk programs. If the Local Education Authority (LEA) participates in the program, they will have a copy of the policy available for review by any interested party. Utah schools participating in the National School Breakfast, Lunch, and/or Special Milk Programs will be distributing program information and accepting free and reduced-price applications after July 1 for the 2023-2024 school year.

The household size and income criteria used for determining eligibility this year is listed below. Children from households in which income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals/free milk.

Children or households currently approved for Food Stamps (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Family Employment Program (FEP), or some Medicaid programs are eligible for free or reduced meal or milk benefits. There are two ways the household may qualify for free meals: The LEAs will approve these children for free meals through the direct certification process and no application is required for free meal benefits, or the household may contact the LEA and indicate the qualifying assistance program in which they participate.

Households will be notified by the LEA of their eligibility and children will be provided free meal benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. All children in these households are eligible for free meal benefits and if any child(ren) was not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the school to have benefits extended to that child(ren). If the child(ren) or household receives benefits under Assistance Programs or other source programs and is not notified by the school of their free meal benefits, the parent or guardian should contact their school.