Click HERE to download the Free & Reduced Meal Application, or you can apply online through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Meal Prices
HHS | HMS | Daly | Washington | Adult | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breakfast (Paid) | $2.30 | $2.20 | $1.95 | $1.85 | $2.75 |
Breakfast (Reduced) | $.30 | $.30 | $.30 | $.30 | |
Lunch (Paid) | $3.80 | $3.25 | $3.15 | $3.05 | $4.65 |
Lunch (Reduced) | $.40 | $.40 | $.40 | $.40 | |
Milk | $.75 | $.75 | $.75 | $.75 | $.75 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FREE AND REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS
1. Who qualifies for free or reduced meals?
All children in households receiving benefits from State SNAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or State TANF, are eligible for free meals.
Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits.
2. How do I know if my child qualifies as homeless, migrant or runaway?
Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and you haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail Anna Green greena@hsd3.org or 406-363-2280.
3. Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to the Hamilton School District Office or the front office of one of your student's campuses.
4. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my child is already approved for free meals?
No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact the Hamilton District Office at 406-363-2280/DistrictOffice@hsd3.org.
5. Can I apply online?
Yes. You are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper application, if you are able. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application.
To complete the online application:
1.) Log into your Infinite Campus account (Infinite Campus Portal).
2.) Click "More" on the left hand menu.
3.) Click "Meal Benefits".
4.) Click "Meal Benefits Application" and complete the online form.
6. My child's application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of the new school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.
7. I qualify for WIC. Can my child get free meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals but are still required to fill out an application for review.
8. Will the information I give be checked?
Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
9. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
10. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should contact the front office of your child's school campus. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Hamilton District Office, 217 Daly Ave Hamilton, MT 59840, 406-363-2280, DistrictOffice@hsd3.org
11. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced price meals.
12. What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
13. What if some household members have no income to report?
The application may ask for information on types of income that you do not receive. If this is the case, please enter 0 in those fields. If any income fields are left blank, those will be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
14. We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food and/or clothing, it must 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.
15. What if there isn't enough space on the application for my family?
List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper, and please attach it to your application.
16. My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out how to apply for State SNAP or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 1-888-706-1535.
If you have other questions, please contact Nick Giacomino, Food Services Director at 406-363-5063.