Income Guidelines for National Free and Reduced Priced Meals For Schools and the Child and Adult Care Food Program are Announced
August 16, 2012
The Michigan Department of Education has announced the household income guidelines established by the United States 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 are effective from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013.
Families should contact their school, school district, child care center, or family day care home sponsor to find out whether it participates in these programs.
Schools, child care centers, and family day care home sponsors 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 or foster children who are recipients of Michigan’s Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or who are 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.
Scale for Free Meals or Free Milk |
||
Total Family Size |
Annual |
Monthly |
1 |
$14,521 |
$1,211 |
2 |
$19,669 |
$1,640 |
3 |
$24,817 |
$2,069 |
4 |
$29,965 |
$2,498 |
5 |
$35,113 |
$2,927 |
6 |
$40,261 |
$3,356 |
7 |
$45,409 |
$3,785 |
8 |
$50,557 |
$4,214 |
Scale for Reduced Price Meals |
|
Annual |
Monthly |
$20,665 |
$1,723 |
$27,991 |
$2,333 |
$35,317 |
$2,944 |
$42,643 |
$3,554 |
$49,969 |
$4,165 |
$57,295 |
$4,775 |
$64,621 |
$5,386 |
$71,947 |
$5,996 |
For each additional family member add:
$5,148 |
$429 |
$7,326 |
$611 |
An application to a school, child care center, or family day care home sponsor 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. 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, child care centers, and family day care home sponsors 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 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, institutions are 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). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
