In Murray County, Georgia, students will be eligible for a year of free school meals. This has been enacted through the Community Eligibility Provision. With inflation and the current economic situation facing many families across the country, this assistance will be essential for many. Children will be eligible for this benefit during the 2025-26 school year.
Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible to receive free meals
In principle, all school children are eligible for free meals, but the official website provides a specific list of eligible children. All children in households receiving SNAP (Food Stamps), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or the Family Employment Program (FEP) are eligible to receive free meals. Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are also eligible to receive free meals. Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are also eligible to receive free meals.
On the other hand, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible to receive free meals. Children can also receive free or reduced-price meals if their household income falls within the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Those interested can visit the Murray School website, where there is a specific section that explains all the steps to follow to apply for these benefits.
You can apply for assistance at any time during the school year
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether you can apply for this benefit later, that is, during the school year. The answer is yes. You can apply for assistance at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income falls below the income limit.
You don’t have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free meals at school
To the question, if someone who wants to apply for this benefit is not a U.S. citizen, are they eligible for assistance? The answer is yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals, the school website details.
In some cases, families don’t have a fixed monthly income, and the amounts received may vary. In that case, the Murray School recommends keeping a list of the family’s income. For example, if you normally earn $1,000 a month, but you missed work last month and only earned $900, write down that you earned $1,000 a month. If you normally receive overtime, include it, but don’t include it if you only work overtime occasionally. If you’ve lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
We recommend consulting official sources from the government or the state
Finally, if the family is in the military, the recommendation is that base pay and cash bonuses should be reported as income. If you receive any cash allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, they should also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
For any questions, we recommend consulting official sources from the government, the state, or, in this case, the educational institution.
