USDA SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM
AND TN COVERKIDS PROGRAM

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) School Meals Program and Tennessee’s CoverKids program provide two of the most important resources for Tennessee’s kids: nutritious meals and health insurance. The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to a nutritious diet by providing free and reduced price meals to eligible students. The CoverKids program provides free comprehensive health insurance to uninsured children 18 and under in Tennessee.

“During the back-to-school season, families must remember to enroll in these important programs that help give their child the best chance of success in school,” Education Commissioner Lana Seivers said. “Students’ basic needs must be met before they can focus on learning. With the availability of these programs, there is no reason a child must go without healthy meals, immunizations and preventative health care.”  

Under the CoverKids plan, a family of four with a yearly income of $51,625 can qualify for coverage with no monthly premiums, no co-pays for well-exams and low co-pays for sick visits and generic medications. Information and applications for both CoverKids and the USDA’s School Meals programs will be sent home with each Tennessee student at the beginning of the school year. For more information on CoverKids, visit www.covertn.gov.

Basic facts about the USDA’s School Meals Program:

Who can get free meals? (1) Children whose families get food stamps or Families First; (2) children from families whose total household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines; and/or (3) most foster children.

Who can get reduced meals? Children from families whose total household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines Chart (below) are eligible.

How will your children be treated if they receive free or reduced meal benefits?  Children receiving free or reduced price meals are treated the same as children who pay for their meals. In accordance with Federal law and U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

How do you determine if you are eligible for this service by using the Income Eligibility Guidelines Chart (below)? Find your household size. HOUSEHOLD is all persons, including parents, children, grandparents, and all people related or unrelated who live in your home and share living expenses and/or income. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member got last month, before taxes. This includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income. In certain cases, a foster child may get free or reduced price meals regardless of your income. Each foster child must be on a separate application.

If you are in the military, do you include your housing allowance as income?  If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.  All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

What if your income is not always the same?  You must list the amount that you normally get.

Do you need to fill out an application for each of your children?  No, you only need one application for each household.

Do you need to fill out an application if your children are receiving food stamps or Families First?  No, your children will be “directly certified,” and you will need to do nothing else.  If for some reason you are not contacted by the school and you are receiving food stamps or Families First, then contact the school and inform them.

Should you fill out an application if you get a letter this school year saying your children are approved for free or reduced price meals?  Read the letter carefully and follow the instructions or call your local School Nutrition Program supervisor.

If you get WIC, can your children get free meals?  Your children may be eligible for free or reduced price meals, but you will need to fill out an application.

Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?  You must call your school’s homeless liaison or migrant coordinator for more information. 

Will the information you give be checked?  Yes, you may be asked to send written proof.

May you apply if someone in your household is not a U. S. citizen?  Yes. You or your children do not have to be U. S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced price meals.

Will your children have their school fees waived?  If you are eligible and/or participating in the lunch program as a free or reduced price student, your school fees may be waived. 

What if you disagree with the school’s decision once your paperwork is processed and your eligibility is determined?  You should talk to school officials, or you may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing the school officials.

If you do not qualify now, may you apply later?  Yes.  You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start getting Food Stamps, Families First, or other benefits.  If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.

What if your children cannot eat regular school meals?  USDA determines what must be included in a regular school meal.  Substitutions at no extra charge are allowed in certain situations.