Free and reduced-price meals are available for households who meet USDA income guidelines. You can pick up an application at any of the school offices or use the links below. Families can also call the Food Service Director to request an application be mailed to you. If you received a Notice of Direct Certification for free meals, you do not need to complete an application, you automatically qualify. If you qualified for free or reduced prices the previous year, you must re-apply again each school year. Families can apply after July 1 for the following year.

All households who may qualify are encouraged to complete an application. The information submitted is confidential. Funding for some of the district's educational programs is based on the number of students who are eligible for and receive free and reduced-price meals.

Households should reapply any time there is a change in financial or household status that may improve benefits.

Information about the Application Process:

• Only one application is needed per family; if you have more than one child attending a school in our district, you only need to submit one application for all children.

• Applications can be submitted at any time during the school year.

• Families can submit a new application if there is a change in the household, such as a parent loses a job or has their work hours cut. A new application must be submitted each school year.

• Eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals is determined based on the federal income guidelines. Children may be eligible automatically for free school meals if one or more family member participates in a federal nutrition program, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or if they are classified as homeless, runaway, or migrant.

• All families enrolled in the district can apply for free or reduced-price school meals.

• Applications are confidential. You do not need to have a Social Security number to apply.

• What you will need to fill out the application:

  • Your case number if you participate in SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR.

  • If not, you will need to provide your family’s total pre-tax income data, including:

    • the earnings of anyone in your household with a job;

    • Social Security or retirement benefits for anyone in your household; and other sources of income.

The Free & Reduced Lunch Application is available online through the Parent Portal https://sis1.ddncampus.net/campus/portal/tea.jsp under "More", then select "Meal Benefits". If you prefer to complete a paper application, select the link below or they may be picked up at the School Office or Business Office. If you need an application in a different language besides English, please contact Corey Boadwine at Corey.Boadwine@k12.sd.us.

Links to download:

ONLINE FREE AND REDUCED APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

2024-2025 INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

2024-2025 FREE AND REDUCED APPLICATION

Return the completed paper application to your child's School Office.