FAQs: Free And Reduced Meals

No. Use one Meal Benefit Application for all students in your household. WCPS cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information.

Return the completed application to:

Washington County Public Schools
10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, MD 21740

All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), foster children, children certified as homeless, runaway, migrant, Head Start, Early Head Start, Even Start, or children who have been Medicaid matched through the Maryland Direct Certification System will receive free meals regardless of your income.

Also, your children can get free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Call 301-766-2890 to ask about benefits.

Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year.

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please send in an application.

Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.

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 or reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to:

Mr. Jeff Proulx
Chief Operating Officer
Washington County Public Schools
10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, foster children, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all the 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.

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.

Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, 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.

To find out how to apply for SNAP, TCA, and medical assistance programs or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call 1-800-332-6347.