Free and Reduced-Price Meal Plans

We must RETURN any incomplete applications -
please read the instructions carefully

Schools serving breakfast in 2009-10

ELEMENTARY: Abbott Loop, Airport Heights, Baxter, Campbell, Chester Valley, Chinook, Chugiak, College Gate, Creekside Park, Denali, Eagle River, Fairview, Gladys Wood, Government Hill, Kasuun, Klatt, Lake Hood, Lake Otis, Mountain View, Mt. Iliamna, Muldoon, North Star, Northern Lights, Northwood, Nunaka Valley, Ptarmigan, Rogers Park, Russian Jack, Scenic Park, Susitna, Taku, Tudor, Tyson, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Whaley, Williwaw, Willowcrest, Wonder Park

MIDDLE: Begich, Central, Clark, Hanshew, Mirror Lake, Romig, Wendler

HIGH: Bartlett, Chugiak, Dimond, Eagle River, East, Service, South, West

CHARTER: Alaska Native

Who can get free or reduced-price meals?

• Children in households getting Food Stamps or ATAP/TANF (Public Assistance) and foster children can get free meals regardless of the household income, though we must have an application to process or receive an electronic import. We now receive electronic imports from the Alaska Public Assistance Office as well as ASD Migrant Education advising us of students qualified for free school meals under those programs. Student Nutrition sends households a letter confirming status at that time. Food Stamp Public Assistance families may alternately receive written verification and submit same in place of an application or list their case number on a regular application form.

• Also if your household income is within limits on the Federal Income Chart for Alaska (at right), along with Permanent Fund Dividend income, your children can get free or reduced-price meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I obtain meal applications?
Applications are located at all schools, Administrative Offices Information, Student Nutrition, and may be completed and downloaded from the district Web site. Click here to download a PDF of the application.

Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Use one application for all elementary, middle school and high school students in your household except for foster children.

Who can get free or reduced-price meals?
Children in households getting Food Stamps or ATAP/TANF (Public Assistance) and foster children can get free meals regardless of the household income, though we must have an application to process or receive an electronic import. We now receive electronic imports from the Alaska Public Assistance Office as well as ASD Migrant Education advising us of students qualified for free school meals under those programs. Student Nutrition sends households a letter confirming status at that time. Food Stamp Public Assistance families may alternately receive written verification and submit same in place of an application or list their case number on a regular application form. Also if your household income is within limits on the Federal Income Chart for Alaska, along with Permanent Fund Dividend income, your children can get free or reduced-price meals.

If we are notified that our child is free through the electronic import method, do we still need to complete an application?
No.

My child was on the lunch program last year. Won’t her free status carry over to this year?
It will carry over only for the first 30 school days if her status was via application or electronic import if your child was enrolled in a non-provision school. If she attended a provision school, where all children are automatically fed free, this will NOT be the case. We must have a new application each school year for each student.

Our income this year is identical to last year, when the children were free. Why are they reduced this year?
This is very common. The Federal Income Guidelines change every year, as do the Permanent Fund Dividend amounts should they apply.

Why is student income a requirement?
We must have income for the entire household. Many children have income from estates, trusts, survivor benefits, etc. besides any real wages.

Why are applications returned to households? Usually because the application is not completed as required. Illegible applications must also be returned; also if any child on the application is not in the school registration system, the application is delayed.

Why are there some schools that feed children free automatically?
These are special provision schools determined by government requirements. These schools are: Alaska Native Charter, Clark Middle, and Fairview, Mount Iliamna, Mt. View, Muldoon, North Star, Tyson, Whaley, Williwaw and Willow Crest elementaries. Children are fed free when they attend these schools.

Do I have to complete a new application if my child transfers from one district school to another?
No, unless a child has been at one of the special provision schools mentioned above, and transfers to a non-provision school, which are all other district schools.

How long does it take to process an application?
 Allow two weeks for processing.

May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, you or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for the program.

Who should I include as members of my household?
You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such a grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.

What if my income is not always the same?
 List the amount you normally receive. For example, if you normally get $1,000 per month, but you missed some work last month and only received $900, list the $1,000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.

What do I do with my completed application?
Turn it in at any school front desk or mail to Student Nutrition (see back of application). Please note that PDF forms downloaded from the district Web site and forms that have been faxed or photocopied cannot be read by our scanning equipment. You may use these forms, but processing will be delayed because of additional handling that is required.

What if I disagree with the status my application determines?
Your application will be processed according to Federal Guidelines. If you wish to ask for a hearing, you may write to Brent Rock, Director, Student Nutrition, 1307 Labar Street, Anchorage, AK 99515.

What if my child has special dietary needs?
 If your child has been determined by a doctor to have a condition that would result in a disability that prevents your child from eating the regular meals, the school may make substitutions prescribed by a doctor.

Are there any additional benefits our family may be eligible for?
Yes, health insurance, Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Pro­gram (WIC), and the district’s Child in Transition Program.

Denali KidCare: Call 1-888-318-8890 or (Anchorage) 269-6529 for information and an application for free health insurance for children, teens and pregnant women.

WIC: Call 1-800-478-2221 for information on how to apply for free food benefits and nutrition education for pregnant, post­partum/ breastfeeding women, infants and children under 5 years. If approved for free or reduced-price meals, you may take your approval letter with you to WIC for documentation for benefits.

Anchorage School District Child in Transition/Homeless Project: Call 742-3833 for assistance.