- Anchorage School District
- Overview & Services
- FAQ - Free and Reduced Meals
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Free and Reduced Priced Meals
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How do I pre-order meals for my student?
Detailed information and instructions are available 24/7 to families at Student Nutrition's Meal Pick-up and Delivery Options page.
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Will the information I give be verified?
Yes, we may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
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How do I know if my children qualify as homeless, runaway or migrant?
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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 meals, please call the child in transition liaison at 742-3833 or visit the CIT website at www.asdk12.org/CITH.
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Households participating in personal subsistence fishing (salt and freshwater), clamming, crabbing, shrimping, commercial fishing, fish processing, logging, or agricultural work may visit the Migrant Education website to take a survey to screen for eligibility www.asdk12.org/Page/5557 or call Migrant Education at (907)742-4275.
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How do I apply?
Apply online or print an application by visiting www.nutrition.asdk12.org and select Apply Online for Free and Reduced Priced Meals. Apply in late July or early August for new to district students or kindergarteners. If a student did not have coverage last year, they would not have temporary free status for the beginning of the 20-21 school year.
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Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No, please use ONE Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students enrolled in the Anchorage School District in your home. We cannot approve an application that is not complete. Be sure to fill out all required information. Please apply online or return the completed paper application to Student Nutrition 1307 Labar Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99515. Please include all students on the application form including incoming kindergarteners.
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Do I need to fill out an application if I received a letter for the 20-21 school year saying my children are approved for free meals?
No, but please read the letter carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Student Nutrition immediately to avoid the possibility of incurring lunch charges. Status TF still requires an application prior to October 1 to be certified for the remainder of the school year.
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Do I need to fill out an application if I received a letter for the 19-20 school year that says my child is enrolled in a CEP (Community Eligible Provision) school and will have free meals provided?
You will not need to apply for children in your household that are enrolled in a CEP school, but if you have other children in your household that do not attend a CEP school or you change schools to a non CEP school then you will need to apply.
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My child’s application was approved for the 19-20 school year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes, your child’s application is only good for a short carryover period in the current school year to allow you time to re-certify your children for the 20-21 school year. To avoid incurring paid meal charges for expired program eligibility, re-apply in between August and October 1 for all students. Include all students on one application, even if they attend different schools.
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How will I know if my children qualify?
You will receive written notification via mail. Please make sure your student profile mailing address (rather than the parent address) is updated in Q Parent Connection and at each
students’ schools to ensure you receive notices about your application.
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I receive WIC; can my children get free meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible, please apply.
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If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year and as many times as you need as circumstances change. However, if approved you will not need to apply until the next school year.
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What if I disagree with the school district’s determination of my application?
You may contact Student Nutrition to discuss your eligibility determination. You may also request a hearing by writing to: Student Nutrition Director, 1307 Labar Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99515.
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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 price meals.
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What if my income is not always the same?
List the gross income amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1,000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1,000 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. Please be sure to fill out the gross income frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly or monthly) or your application will be returned and/ or delayed.
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What if some household members have no income to report?
If members of the household receive no income, please write a 0 in the field. If any income fields are left empty, we will assume their income is 0.
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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, clothing, or receive Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (JBER is a qualifying installation), do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
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What if there isn’t enough space on the application for my family?
Apply online, if you must submit a paper copy list additional household members on a separate piece of paper, and attach it to your application.
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My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out more about assistance programs in Alaska visit www.dhss.alaska.gov/dpa Contact Student Nutrition Office via email at SNAdmin@asdk12.org or at (907)348-5145 or for further assistance.
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If your income falls in or below this chart, you may qualify for free or reduced priced meals.
FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART for School Year 2020-2021
Household
Size
Annual
Monthly
Twice per
Month
Every Two Weeks
Weekly
1
29,508
2,459
1,230
1,135
568
2
39,868
3,323
1,662
1,534
767
3
50,228
4,186
2,093
1,932
966
4
60,588
5,049
2,482
2,291
1,146
5
70,948
5,913
2,957
2,729
1,365
6
81,308
6,776
3,388
3,128
1,564
7
91,668
7,639
3,820
3,526
1,736
8
102,028
8,503
4,252
3,925
1,963
For each additional family member add:
10,360
864
432
399
200
Still have questions? Contact Student Nutrition Office via email at SNAdmin@asdk12.org or at (907) 348-5145 or for further assistance.
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Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.