Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals
By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announces its policy to serve nutritious meals
Every school day, under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and/or
Afterschool Snack Program. Effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, children are eligible
for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.
Households do not need to turn in an application when the household receives a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free meals when any household member receives benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR. Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway are eligible for free meals. Contact school officials if any child in the household is not on the notification letter. The household must let school officials know if they do not want to receive free or reduced-price meals.
Applications will be sent to the household with a letter about the free and reduced-price meal program. Households that want to apply for meal benefits must fill out one application for all children in the household and give it to the Food & Nutrition Services office at 1717 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. For a simple and secure method to apply, use our online application at http://www.myschoolapps.com. Contact Food & Nutrition Services at 310-450-8338, ext. 70228, for help filling out the application. The school will let you know if your application is approved or denied for free or reduced-price meals.
Households may turn in an application at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now, but your household income goes down, household size goes up, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you may turn in an application at that time. Information given on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials. The last four digits of the Social Security number from any adult in the household or the checking account number are required if you include income on the application.
Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by filling out an application.
Foster children are eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as a household member may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible, this does not keep foster children from receiving free meals.
Your child’s eligibility status from last school year will continue into the new school year for up to 30 school days. School officials do not have to send reminders or expired eligibility notices.
If you disagree with the decision or results of the verification, you may discuss it with school officials. You also have the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by calling or writing the hearing official: Richard Marchini, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, 1717 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-450-8338, ext. 70-342.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
