Families who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals and milk during the 2024-25 school year are encouraged to submit an application to see if they are eligible.
Families may apply for the free or reduced-price meals or free milk according to guidelines effective July 1, 2024. Families that are directly certified as eligible for free meals will receive a notice of eligibility from their school. The policy applies to children unable to pay the full price of meals or milk served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and/or the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Applications are available from your local school or agency.
Schools will use the prior year’s eligibility status (free, reduced-price, or paid) for up to the first 30 days of school or until a new application is approved or direct certification is obtained, whichever comes first. When the carry-over period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified, or the household submits an application that is approved, the children must pay full price for meals and the school or agency will not send a reminder or a notice of expired eligibility.
A list of entities participating in the federally funded programs can be found on the DOE’s website at https://doe.sd.gov/cans/ under the “Documents” drop-down.
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