What Families Need to Know
✅ Who Can Get Free or Reduced-Price Meals?
Your child may automatically qualify if your family:
-
Receives NJ SNAP or TANF/WorkFirst-NJ benefits
-
Has a child in foster care, Head Start, or is homeless, a runaway, or migrant
You may also qualify based on your household income, even if you don’t receive those benefits.
📄 How to Apply
-
You can apply anytime by:
-
Only one application is needed per household, even if you have more than one child in the district
-
If you already received a letter saying your child qualifies (called direct certification), you do not need to apply
💵 Why Apply? (Even If You're Unsure You Qualify)
-
Save money: Meals can save families about $120 a month, or $1,200 per child per year
-
Support learning: School meals are healthy and help kids focus and do better in school
🔁 Important Reminders
-
Apply every school year—benefits don’t carry over automatically
-
If you don’t qualify or apply, you’ll need to pay full price for school meals
-
Your immigration or citizenship status does NOT affect your eligibility
-
Need help? Reach out to your child’s school
APPLICATION - CLICK ON LINKS BELOW
1. Make Sure to Read the Instructions & Parent Letter
2. Fill out application completely, print and return to your child's school.
English Spanish
Instructions Instrucciones
Parent Letter Carta a Los Padres
Application Solicitud
Sharing Info. Compartir Informacion