Here’s how to apply for free and reduced-price meals in Lawrence Public Schools

The application for Lawrence school district families looking to qualify for free or reduced-price meals for their students went live online Friday.

The application is available by visiting this link, typing in your ZIP code or selecting the state of Kansas, and selecting “Lawrence Public Schools” from the dropdown menu that appears on the search page.

Here’s what you’ll need to provide during the application process, according to the website:

• The names and incomes of every member of your household
• (Optional) School, grade, birthdate of every student in your household
• Your social security number and electronic signature
• (Optional) A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the status of the application.

Families can also visit this link on the district’s website to access forms to print and fill in. The forms can also be found at each school office.

The federal program that was providing universal free meals for all students amid the pandemic was discontinued.

Do I qualify?

Families who received a specific letter telling them their children are already approved for free meals do not need to apply, but “please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions,” including checking for children who should have been listed but are not, according to the letter.

According to the district’s generic letter to school families (available here in English and here in Spanish), those who qualify for assistance from Food Assistance (FA), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Temporary Assistance for Families (TAF) are eligible for free meals. Children who qualify for certain Medicaid benefits may also be eligible.

Children participating in their school’s Head Start program, and children in foster care or custody of the court are also eligible for free meals. Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals, according to the district.

You do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals.

Here’s the full letter to families, which includes an income chart to help determine eligibility:

2023_Letter_to_Household

Lawrence school board members set meal prices during their meeting on Monday. None of the student meal prices are increasing over the prices approved for the 2020-2021 school year; however, the cost of lunches for adults will increase by 90 cents, and breakfasts by 10 cents.

Lunches will cost $2.80 for elementary students, $3 for middle school students, $3.05 for high school students, 40 cents for students with reduced-price meals, and $4.65 for adults. Breakfasts will cost $1.80 for elementary students, $1.90 for middle school students, $1.95 for high school students, 30 cents for students with reduced-price meals, and $2.55 for adults.

Free meals will continue to be available at some sites through July 29, and through Aug. 5 at one site. Find more information about that at this link, and more on our events calendar.

Visit this link to apply for free or reduced-price meals online, or visit this link for printable forms. More information about Food Service is available here.

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