Free Meals Ending in 2022-2023
When the 2021-2022 school year ended, so did free meals for every student. While the federal government funded a program that allowed all students access to free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress declined to continue funding this program. This means all families will need to carry a positive balance in their children’s school meal accounts when school begins next fall.
Iowa Eligibility Guidelines
If your total household income is within the limits listed in the table pictured, your children may be eligible for either free or reduced price school meals. If your child(ren) qualify for free or reduced price meals, you may also be eligible for Food Assistance Benefits from the State of Iowa, Department of Human Services (DHS).
Once your application has been received, please allow up to 10 business days for approval of the application. A confirmation letter of approval or denial will be emailed or mailed once the application has been reviewed.
For more information, please contact Cassie Mayrose at (515) 457-6911 or mayrosec@urbandaleschools.com.
For questions regarding the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), call 1-833-631-2508 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions about activating a card, or for a card that has been lost or stolen, call 1-800-359-5802.
For more information click here.
If your child(ren) qualified for the Iowa Eligibility Program, either by being Directly Certified by the State, or per the Iowa Eligibility Application, they may also be eligible for other benefits such as free or reduced fees for books and materials, driver's education, bussing, activities, and other district services. In order to receive these additional benefits, make sure you complete the Waiver of Confidentiality portion of the free and reduced meals application. If you have already completed the application and did not say yes to this option, or if you received an email or letter stating that you were Directly Certified, you can complete the waiver separately by using this form.
By completing this form, you waive your right to confidentiality of your eligibility status for the selected programs.
This form needs to be completed each school year.
Privacy Act Statement: This explains how we will use the information you give us.
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced price meals. You must include the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The last four digits of the social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number. We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.