Free and Reduced Meal Applications
Electronic Applications for Meal Benefits
Log in to your Family Access account and select the Food Services tab to get started. Be sure to go through the entire process and select "submit". If you are unable to successfully submit the electronic application, please contact us at 206.393.4209.
Online meal application instructions: English -- Spanish
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a determination letter by email.
Printable Applications for Meal Benefits
Paper applications can be submitted in the following ways; scan or photo/email to nutrition.services@ssd412.org; fax to 206.393.4104; drop off at your school office; drop off at the Food Service office; send by mail to Shoreline Food Services, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA, 98155. A paper copy of the benefit application will be mailed to your home at the beginning of the school year or can be printed from the links below.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a determination letter by email.
2024-2025 ENGLISH Meal Benefit Application
2024-2025 SPANISH Meal Benefit Application
2024-2025 AMHARIC Meal Benefit Application
2024-2025 ARABIC Meal Benefit Application
2024-2025 CHINESE Meal Benefit Application
2024-2025 TIGRINYA Meal Benefit Application
Free and Reduced Meal Program General Information
The National School Lunch Program is a federally funded program that assists in providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to students each school day.
One application must be fully completed for each household, each school year. Please include everyone in your household on one form, list all income information (even if it is zero, please note the income for students and adults), and sign your application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
Be sure to review the FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions") at the bottom of this page, to find answers to common questions.
Paper applications may be returned to the Food Services Office in person, by fax, mail, email, or dropped off at your student’s school. Electronic applications will be submitted to us upon completion. You will receive an email with the results of your application. If you do not have a valid email address on file, a letter will be sent through US Mail.
If your student is approved for free or reduced price meals, they may qualify for other benefits at school or in the community. Save your determination letter as it is official documentation of the meal price status.
Families new to the National School Lunch Program will need to have their applications submitted and approved before the subsidy will apply, until that time, full charges will apply. For families that received benefits for the previous school year, subsidized meal benefits will carry-over for 30 school-days into the new academic year. A new application must be submitted and approved prior to that 30th day to avoid full-price charges on your student's account. Parents/guardians will be responsible for any accrued fees.
Free and Reduced Price Meal Program and Immigration Status
No immigration restrictions exist for child nutrition programs; children may obtain meals regardless of their immigration status and their status and the status of their parents will not be impacted by receiving free or reduced-price meals under current U.S. law. Since free and reduced-price meals qualify as a "non-cash" benefit, receiving them will not affect the immigration status or process in obtaining or changing their immigration status.
A healthy, well-balanced meal is essential to student learning! We strongly encourage all families with students who may qualify to apply for this school-based benefit.
Consent to Share Program Eligibility Information
If you qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size or income or, if you receive Basic Food, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or have been Directly Certified as eligible for free or reduced meals, you may be eligible for decreased fees for other school programs. Submitting/not submitting this form will not affect your child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. An updated consent must be filed with the school district every school year.
The form below is already included with the printed application and is part of the electronic application.
If your student was Directly Certified as eligible for free or reduced meals, you may fill out the consent form and return it to nutrition.services@ssd412.org or to your student's school.
FORM: Consent to Share Program Eligibility Information
FORM: Permiso para Compartir Informacion de Elegibilidad
Free & Reduced Program FAQ
- My Shoreline School District student was free/reduced last school year. Do I need to fill out another application?
- Do I need to submit copies of my pay stubs with my application?
- How will I be notified if my application was approved/denied?
- I’ve had a reduction in pay. Can I reapply to reflect my new income?
- I have students that attend several different Shoreline schools. Do I need to fill out a separate application for each student?
- May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
- My child is transferring to a Shoreline school from another district. They were eligible for benefits in the other district. Will they automatically receive free/reduced meals at their new school?
- I need help filling out the form. Who can help me?
- How do I find out if my student qualifies for a reduction or waiver of school fees?
- I heard that Comcast offers a discount on internet service if we qualify for meal benefits.
- I did not save the determination email/letter. How do I get a copy?
- I received a determination email/letter for meal benefits but not all of my students are listed. What should I do?
- I received an email/letter that said my application was incomplete and benefits were denied. What do I do?
- What is the fastest way to get an application processed?
- My student was approved for free meals. Why is there a charge on their account?
- Are there other resources in Shoreline that can help families that need assistance?