Glendale Unified School District announced its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Afterschool Snack Program. Effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.

Households do not need to turn in an application when the household receives a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free meals when any household member receives benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs or FDPIR. Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway, and children enrolled in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals. Contact school officials if any child in the household is not on the notification letter. The household must let school officials know if they do not want to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Applications will be sent to the household with a letter about the free and reduced-price meal program. Households that want to apply for meal benefits must fill out one application for all children in the household and give it to the nutrition office at 349A W. Magnolia Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204. For a simple and secure method to apply, use the online application at Mealapp.gusd.net. Contact Melina Keshish at (818) 552-2677 for help filling out the application. Nutrition Services will let applicants know if their application is approved or denied for free or reduced-price meals.

Households may turn in an application at any time during the school year. Those who are not eligible now, but their household income goes down, household size goes up, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, may turn in an application at that time. Information given on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials. The last four digits of the Social Security number from any adult household or checking off on the application that no Social Security number has been issued is required if income is included on the application.

Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by filling out an application.

Foster children are eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as household members may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible, this does not keep foster children from receiving free meals.

A child’s eligibility status from the last school year will continue into the new school year for up to 30 school days or until the school processes the new application, or the child is otherwise certified for free or reduced-price meals. After the 30 school days, the child will have to pay full price for meals, unless the household receives a notification letter for free or reduced-price meals. School officials do not have to send reminder or expired eligibility notices.

Those who do not agree with the decision or results of verification may discuss it with school officials. Everyone also has the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by calling or writing the hearing official: David Greco, 223 N. Jackson St., Glendale, CA 91206 or by calling (818) 241-3111.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.