Baltimore County Public Schools

Engage. Empower. Excel.

Overview

The Baltimore County Public Schools serve meals each school day, which may be purchased at the published school prices. Meals are available at no cost for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. All meals served meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• For students attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school, meals are available to all students at no cost.
• For students attending schools that provide breakfast meals under the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) Program, breakfast meals are available to all students at no cost.

Qualifications

• Most children in households that receive Food Supplement Program (FSP – formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) benefits or temporary cash assistance (TCA) are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• Most children receiving Medicaid benefits who are members of households with incomes that do not exceed the NSLP income standards are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
  • Free eligibility = 130% (or less) of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the family size used by Medicaid
  • Reduced price eligibility = 185% (or less) of the FPL for the family size used by Medicaid 
• Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the Department of Social Services or court are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• Children certified as homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Eligibility Chart below, your child(ren) are eligible to receive meals at no cost.
• ALL students attending a CEP school will receive meals at no cost.

Income Eligibility Chart (Effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023)

Apply Online

To complete the Household Meal Benefit Application (HMBA) online and expedite processing for free or reduced-price meal benefits, visit MySchoolApps.

• Enter zip code or state
• Select district
• Select Begin Application Process

Children attending a CEP school will not need to apply for meal benefits as meals are provided at no cost to all students. If there are students in the household attending a non-CEP school, the household will need to submit a HMBA.

Translations

Verification

Your child’s(ren’s) eligibility may be verified at any time during the school year.  School officials may request you to send income documentation confirming that your child(ren) should receive free or reduced-price meals.

Appeal

Call the OFNS at 443-809-7855, if you have questions or disagree with your child’s(ren’s) eligibility determination.  If a determination cannot be resolved with the OFNS, you may proceed by appealing the decision in writing to: Ms. Jaime Hetzler, Director of the Office of Food and Nutrition Services, Baltimore County Public Schools, 9610 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 219, Baltimore, MD 21220.

Duration of Eligibility

Your child’s(ren’s) eligibility is in effect from the date of eligibility for the current school year and for up to 30 operating days in the subsequent school year. Meal benefit eligibility determinations made in the current year supersedes the previous year meal benefit level. However, this does not apply when the initial eligibility determination was incorrect or when verification of household eligibility does not support the level of benefits for which the household was approved.

Confidentiality

School officials will use the information on the application to determine eligibility of your child(ren).  Please be advised that the name and eligibility status of your child(ren) may be:

•    Given to local Title I officials for allocation and evaluation purposes.

•    Used for the National Assessment of Educational Progress analyses or other authorized purposes.

•    Given to other federal and state education or state health programs.

No other use of this information is permitted without parental consent.

Reapplication

You may apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.  If not eligible now but a change occurs, such as a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, become unemployed, or receive FSP or TCA for your children, you may fill out an application at that time.

NOTE - New FSP, TCA, or Medicaid benefits received during the year, or changes in eligibility status due to decrease in household income (Medicaid), should be automatically updated as part of the direct certification process.

Non-Discrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint , from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

Mail:    U.S. Department of Agriculture

   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

   1400 Independence Avenue, SW

   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax:     833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or

Email:  [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Maryland State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry/national origin, color, disability, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. 

For inquiries related to Department policy, please contact:
Agency Equity Officer,
Equity Assurance and Compliance Office,
Office of the Deputy State Superintendent for Finance and Administration,
Maryland State Department of Education,
200 W. Baltimore Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2595
410-767-0426 – voice
410-767-0431 – fax
410-333-6442 - TTY/TDD