SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The 30-day grace period for free or reduced meals in the Sioux Falls School District ends Saturday, October 5. That means, if families who qualified for free or reduced meals last year don’t submit a new application, they’ll revert back to paid status.
“Any family that was qualified for free or reduced benefits a year ago or during last school year, they automatically roll over into the first 30 days of school each year where they have this period of time,” SFSD Child Nutrition Coordinator Gay Anderson said.
Even if families utilized the free and reduced meal program last school year, they must fill out a new application. In an email sent to parents on Thrusday, the district said about 1,400 students who received free and reduced meals last school year have not yet reapplied. The cost can add up, sometimes over $100 each month for one child.
Federal program policy requires each school district to provide a 30-day grace period from the first day of school. The district said an application can be filled out at any time during the school year, but completing it before the grace period ends ensures an uninterrupted reduction.
“It can be completed multiple times by a family. In fact, if their life circumstances change, maybe it’s loss of income, addition in the family or whatever it is. So, it’s not limited,” Anderson said.
They encourage all families to apply.
“If a family hasn’t applied for a couple of years because they were denied three years ago and they’re struggling, they should try again because maybe this year the guidelines are changed enough that they would qualify,” School liaison Denise Logan said.
Logan said the application process is simple.
“If you just get it in, if there’s anything that we can help with, we’re always here,” Logan said. “They can go in any of the schools. They will help them. They can call child nutrition. We’re more than happy to help them.”
Applications can be filled out online and in person. Community donations have also helped the school district provide additional meal funding through the first semester.
