Broward Schools Policy for Free and Reduced Price Meals
Free or Reduced Meals flyer
Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility. An application cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information. Once approved, meal benefits are good for an entire year. You need not notify the organization of changes in income and household size.
To apply for Free or Reduced Price Meals, households should complete an application online at Broward Schools or Apply For Lunch before the start of school. An information letter for parents or guardians will be sent home from the schools. Households that are unable to complete an application online may contact Food and Nutrition Services at 754-321-0250 or their child’s school to receive a paper application. Completed forms should be returned to: Food and Nutrition Services, 7720 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite #304, Sunrise, Florida, 33351.
The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
Households that receive Florida SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Florida TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) are required to list on the application only the child’s name, the name and valid Florida SNAP/TANF case number for the person who receives the benefits, and signature of adult household member.
Foster children will receive free benefits regardless of the child’s personal income or the income of the household.
Households with children who are considered migrant, homeless, or runaway should contact the district’s Migrant Coordinator at 754-321-1414 or Homeless/Runaway Liaison at 754-321-2494.
For the purpose of determining household size, deployed service members are considered a part of the household. Families should include the names of the deployed service members on their application. Report only that portion of the deployed service member’s income made available to them or on their behalf to the family. Additionally, a housing allowance that is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is not to be included as income.
All other households must provide the following information listed on the application:
- Names of all household members – check the “no income” box if applicable; if household member is a child, list school name for each;
- Total household income listed by gross amount received, type of income (e.g., wages, child support, etc.) and how often the income is received by each household member;
- Last four digits of the Social Security Number for the adult signing the application or indicate this household member does not have a Social Security Number; and
- Signature of an adult household member certifying the information provided is correct.
If any household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should complete a new application.
Under the provisions of the Free and Reduced Price Meal Policy the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Determining Official will review applications and determine eligibility.
If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he or she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis at 754-321-0250. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he or she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Mary Mulder, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, 7720 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite # 204, Sunrise, Florida, 754-321-0215.
Unless indicated otherwise on the application, the information on the Free and Reduced Price Meal application may be used by the school system in determining eligibility for other educational programs.
Florida Income Guidelines
