Meal Benefit Information
Meal Benefits
Meal Benefits
Meal Benefits
Supporting families while helping strengthen school programs.
Meal Benefit Applications help PLESD determine eligibility for important state and federal programs and may connect families with additional benefits. Although all PLESD students may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost each school day, families are still encouraged to complete a Meal Benefit Application each year.
Why Complete a Meal Benefit Application?
All PLESD students may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost each school day. However, families are still encouraged to complete a Meal Benefit Application each school year.
Meal Benefit information helps determine eligibility for federal and state child nutrition programs and may also help families qualify for additional benefits and services.
Applications are accepted throughout the school year and may be completed online or submitted to PLESD Nutrition Services.
What Does the Application Affect?
California's Universal Meals Program allows students to receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost each school day, regardless of household income or Meal Benefit eligibility.
Meal Benefit Applications are still important because eligibility information may be used for federal meal reimbursement and other programs or benefits available to qualifying families.
Additional meals and à la carte items are not included with the free breakfast and lunch and may be available for purchase.
Who Should Be Included?
When completing a Meal Benefit Application, include all children under age 18 who live in your household, even if some attend a different school district.
If the application is approved, eligible students who attend PLESD will be included in the household’s Meal Benefit determination.
If your notification does not list all PLESD students living in your household, contact Nutrition Services so the information can be reviewed.
How Is Eligibility Determined?
Meal Benefit eligibility is based on household size, household income, and participation in certain qualifying assistance programs.
Families completing an application may be asked to provide:
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Names of household members
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Household income information
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Information about qualifying assistance programs, when applicable
Nutrition Services reviews applications and notifies families of their eligibility determination.
For help with an application or to check its status, contact Nutrition Services at (530) 743-4428 ext. 1771.
Direct Certification
Some families may qualify for Meal Benefits automatically through Direct Certification and may not need to complete a Meal Benefit Application.
If your student is directly certified, PLESD will notify your household of the eligibility determination.
If you are unsure whether your student has been directly certified, contact Nutrition Services for assistance.
How Often Do I Need to Apply?
Families who are not directly certified should complete a new Meal Benefit Application each school year.
Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year if your household circumstances change or you believe your family may qualify.
New families are encouraged to complete an application as soon as possible after enrolling.
What Meals Are included? |
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All PLESD students may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost each school day.
Additional meals and à la carte items may be available for purchase.
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For menus and current pricing for additional purchases, visit Menus & Meal Information.
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Verification of Meal Benefits
PLESD follows federal requirements for verifying eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
USDA Nondiscrimination 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 (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, 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/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, 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; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Frequently asked Questions
Frequently asked Questions
Frequently asked Questions
If school meals are free, why should I complete an application?
Do I need to complete a new application every year?
How will I know if my family qualifies?
- Meal Benefit information can help determine eligibility for federal and state programs and may connect qualifying families with additional benefits. Families are encouraged to complete an application each school year unless they have been directly certified.
- Generally, yes. Families who are not directly certified should complete a new Meal Benefit Application each school year. Applications may also be submitted during the year if household circumstances change.
- Nutrition Services reviews submitted applications and will notify families of their eligibility determination. Some students may qualify automatically through Direct Certification and will receive notification from the District.
