Free and Reduced Meal Information

Free and reduced price meals are available to families who qualify based on the Federal Income guidelines. If your family chooses to apply, please fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form. The forms can also be obtained and returned completed to any school office OR you may mail the application to Kathy Bernaix, 560 S 900 E, Marion, IN 46953. If you have any other questions you may call Kathy Bernaix at 664-1214 Ext 180. Until your application has been approved, you must pay the full price for your student’s meals. Ala cart items are not included with the Free or Reduced benefits.

Application Guidelines:
• Only complete one application per family.
• Foster children need to have a separate application for each child.
• Household size is considered all persons, related or unrelated, including parents, children, and grandparents who live in your home and share living expenses.
• Total Household income is the income each member of the house received last month before taxes. This includes wages, social security, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.
• Households receiving food stamps or TANF must provide the case number not the number on the card you carry.
• The application must be signed and a social security number provided (Part 5) or the
application will be returned. Also Part 6, Other Benefits, must be signed to qualify for textbook assistance. • The application is good for the school year. Once approved, families do not have to
report change in income, unless it is a decrease in income that would qualify a change in status from reduced to free. At the beginning of each school year, there is a grace period fore those who were approved for free/reduced meals at the end of the prior school year for 30 operational days. There is no grace period for textbook assistance. A new application must be completed and approved each school year to continue meal benefits and to receive textbook assistance.