Free and reduced-price meal benefit applications for the 2022-23 school year are available for families with students enrolled in Regional School Unit 49/School Administrative District 49, which is participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Meals will be provided to enrolled students at no charge in Maine public schools participating in the lunch program because of state legislation, according to a news release from Daniel Chamberlain, SAD 49 nutrition director. The district is based in Fairfield.

While meals are provided for no charge, it is still important to complete the free and reduced-price meal benefit application. Students may be eligible for additional benefits, such as the USDA pandemic EBT program.

To apply, fill out an application and return it to the local school district. The information provided on the application is confidential.

Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. A complete application, required as a condition of eligibility, includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of Social Security number or indication of no Social Security number of adult household member signing the application.

School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.

If a family member becomes unemployed or family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible.

Households will be notified of their children’s eligibility status for free or reduced price meals. If any children were not listed on the eligibility notice for families receiving SNAP, TANF or FDPIR, the household should contact the school to have free meal benefits extended to those children.

If any child was not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact their local school district to have free meal benefits extended to that child.

Chamberlain, the determining official, will review the application and determine eligibility in accordance to the federal guidelines. If parents or guardians are dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district’s hearing official.

For more information, contact Chamberlain at [email protected] or call 207-453-4200.

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