Letter to Parents

Click here to view the free and reduced meal announcement.

Click here to view the free and reduced meal letter to parents.

Click here to view the free and reduced meal application.

Haga clic aquí para ver la carta de comidas gratis y reducidas para padres en español

Haga clic aquí para ver la solicitud de comidas gratis y a precio reducido en español

Children need healthy meals to learn. Chester UFSD offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $0; lunch costs $0. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Students in New York State that are approved for reduced price meals will receive breakfast and lunch meals and snacks served through the Afterschool Snack Program at no charge. Below are common questions and answers to help you with the application process.

1. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD?
No. Complete one Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk to apply for free or reduced price meals for all students in your household attending this School Food Authority. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information as indicated on the application and application instructions. Return the completed application to: Donna Powles, 64 Hambletonian Ave, Chester NY 10918.

2. WHO CAN GET FREE MEALS?

• All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), are eligible for free meals. Categorical eligibility for free meal benefits is extended to all children in a household when the application lists an Assistance Program’s case number for any household member.
• 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. Households with children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant should contact the SFA for assistance in receiving benefits.
• Children may receive free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free or reduced price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Students in New York State that are approved for reduced price meals will receive breakfast and lunch meals and snacks served through the Afterschool Snack Program at no charge.  
• Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart:
  2024-2025 Reduced Price Income Eligibility Guidelines

  Household Size	Annual	Monthly	Twice per Month	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
  1	$27,861	$2,322	$1,161	$1,072	$536
  2	$37,814	$3,152	$1,576	$1,455	$728
  3	$47,767	$3,981	$1,991	$1,838	$919
  4	$57,720	$4,810	$2,405	$2,220	$1,110
  5	$67,673	$5,640	$2,820	$2,603	$1,302
  6	$77,626	$6,469	$3,235	$2,986	$1,493
  7	$87,579	$7,299	$3,650	$3,369	$1,685
  8	$97,532	$8,128	$4,064	$3,752	$1,876
  Each Add’l person, add	$9,953	$830	$415	$383	$192

3. CAN FOSTER CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?
Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income. Foster children may also be included as a member of the foster family if the foster family chooses to also apply for benefits for other children. Including children in foster care as household members may help other children in the household qualify for benefits. If non-foster children in a foster family are not eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits, an eligible foster child will still receive free benefits.

4. CAN HOMELESS, RUNAWAY, AND MIGRANT CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?
Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail [school, homeless liaison or migrant coordinator information] to see if they qualify.

5. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS?
Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the school at 845-590-9625 if you have questions.

6. MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT ANOTHER ONE?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and carried over for the first 30 operating days of this school year (or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first). 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 GET WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC) BENEFITS. CAN MY CHILD(REN) GET FREE MEALS? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk.

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 or who experiences financial hardship mid-year 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 talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Erin Brennan, Business Official , 845-469-9184

11. MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?
Yes. You, your child(ren), or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced price meals. 12. WHO SHOULD I INCLUDE AS MEMBERS OF MY HOUSEHOLD? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do not include them.

13. 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.

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, 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. MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP. ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR?
To find out how to apply for SNAP or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 1-800-342-3009.