Free And Reduced Meal Policy Announced At Fairfax County Schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools has announced details of its free and reduced meal policy for the 2019-2020 school year. According to the latest FCPS data, around 28 percent of the student population qualifies for free and reduced-price meals.

Certain schools will give free breakfast and lunch to all students as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Families with students at these schools need not apply for the free meals. Households will receive communication about CEP.

The participating schools are: Annandale Terrace Elementary, Bailey’s Elementary, Bailey’s Upper Elementary, Braddock Elementary, Crestwood Elementary, Dogwood Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Glen Forest Elementary, Graham Road Elementary, Groveton Elementayr, Hutchison Elementary, Hybla Valley Elementary, Lynbrook Elementary, Mount Vernon Woods Elementary, Parklawn Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Weyanoke Elementary, Woodburn Elementary, and Woodley Hills Elementary.

Families at other schools will need to apply for free and reduced price meals. Eligibility is based on household size and income. For example, the maximum household income for a family of four is $33,475 for free meals and $33,475.01 to $47,638 for reduced price meals. See a chart of free and reduced price lunch eligibility by household size and income.

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of household income. Households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as well as children who are homeless, migrants or runaways may be automatically eligible.

Applications for free and reduced meals are available online, at the principal's office at each school and at the central office. Only one application per household is required.

Households may apply for free or reduced price meals at any time during the school year. If a household is not eligible but has a decrease in household income, increase in household size, unemployment or qualification for SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the household can contact the school for an application.

More details about the free and reduced price lunch program are available on the district's website.