Income Guidelines for National Free and Reduced Priced Meals

 The Michigan Department of Education has announced the household income guidelines established by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for free and reduced price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.  The income guidelines remain unchanged from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010.  The rates published below will remain in effect through June 30, 2011.

 Contact your school, school district, child care center, or family child care home, to find out whether it participates in these programs.

 Schools and child care centers will provide a form for applying for free or reduced price meals.  Only one application is required per household.  Most participating centers and all participating family child care homes provide meals to all enrolled participants without any separate charge.

  Children who are recipients of Michigan's Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations households, or enrolled in Head Start, Even Start, an At-Risk afterschool center, or an emergency shelter, automatically qualify for free meals.  Households with incomes less than or equal to the following guidelines qualify for free or reduced price meals or free milk. 

An application to a school or child care center can be approved if it contains complete documentation of household income, or documentation of current participation in Michigan's Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.  Foster children usually qualify for free meals or free milk without regard to the foster parents' income.  Information supplied on an application for free or reduced price meals may be verified at any time.  An appeal procedure is available for households where applications are denied.

Participating schools and centers accept applications for free or reduced price meals at any time during the year.  A household may qualify for free or reduced price meals due to a temporary loss of income, such as a period of unemployment.

If a doctor has determined that a child has a disability, and the disability would prevent the child from eating the regular school or child care meal, the school or child care facility will make any substitution prescribed by a doctor at no charge.  The doctor's statement, including prescribed diet and/or substitution, must be submitted to the food service department of the school or child care facility.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.