Overview

The Baltimore County Public Schools serve meals each school day, which may be purchased at the published school prices. Meals are available at no cost for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. All meals served meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• For students attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, meals are available to all students at no cost.
• For students attending schools that provide breakfast meals under the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) Program, breakfast meals are available to all students at no cost.

Qualifications

• Most children in households that receive Food Supplement Program (FSP – formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) benefits or temporary cash assistance (TCA) are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• Most children receiving Medicaid benefits who are members of households with incomes that do not exceed the NSLP income standards are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
  • Free eligibility = 130% (or less) of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the family size used by Medicaid
  • Reduced price eligibility = 185% (or less) of the FPL for the family size used by Medicaid 
• Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the Department of Social Services or court are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• Children certified as homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Eligibility Chart below, your child(ren) are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• ALL students attending a CEP school will receive meals at no cost.

Income Eligibility Chart (Effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023)

Apply Online

To complete the Household Meal Benefit Application (HMBA) online and expedite processing for free or reduced-price meal benefits, visit MySchoolApps.

• Enter zip code or state
• Select district
• Select Begin Application Process

Children attending a CEP school will not need to apply for meal benefits as meals are provided at no cost to all students. If there are students in the household attending a non-CEP school, the household will need to submit a HMBA.

Translations

Verification

Your child’s(ren’s) eligibility may be verified at any time during the school year.  School officials may request you to send income documentation confirming that your child(ren) should receive free or reduced-price meals.

Appeal

Call the OFNS at 443-809-7855, if you have questions or disagree with your child’s(ren’s) eligibility determination.  If a determination cannot be resolved with the OFNS, you may proceed by appealing the decision in writing to: Ms. Jaime Hetzler, Director of the Office of Food and Nutrition Services, Baltimore County Public Schools, 9610 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 219, Baltimore, MD 21220.

Duration of Eligibility

Your child’s(ren’s) eligibility is in effect from the date of eligibility for the current school year and for up to 30 operating days in the subsequent school year. Meal benefit eligibility determinations made in the current year supersedes the previous year meal benefit level. However, this does not apply when the initial eligibility determination was incorrect or when verification of household eligibility does not support the level of benefits for which the household was approved.

Confidentiality

School officials will use the information on the application to determine eligibility of your child(ren).  Please be advised that the name and eligibility status of your child(ren) may be:

•    Given to local Title I officials for allocation and evaluation purposes.

•    Used for the National Assessment of Educational Progress analyses or other authorized purposes.

•    Given to other federal and state education or state health programs.

No other use of this information is permitted without parental consent.

Reapplication

You may apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.  If not eligible now but a change occurs, such as a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, become unemployed, or receive FSP or TCA for your children, you may fill out an application at that time.

NOTE - New FSP, TCA, or Medicaid benefits received during the year, or changes in eligibility status due to decrease in household income (Medicaid), should be automatically updated as part of the direct certification process.