Electronic Applications for Meal Benefits

  • Log in to your Family Access account and select the Food Services tab to get started. Be sure to go through the entire process and select "submit". If you are unable to successfully submit the electronic application, please contact us at 206.393.4209.

    Online meal application instructions: English -- Spanish 

    Once your application has been processed, you will receive a determination letter by email.

Printable Applications for Meal Benefits

Free and Reduced Meal Program

  • The National School Lunch Program is a federally funded program that assists in providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to students each school day. 

    One application must be fully completed for each household, each school year. Please include everyone in your household on one form, list all income information (even if it is zero, please note the income for students and adults), and sign your application. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.

    Be sure to review the FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions") at the bottom of this page, to find answers to common questions.

    Paper applications may be returned to the Food Services Office in person, by fax, mail, email, or dropped off at your student’s school. Electronic applications will be submitted to us upon completion. For contact information click here. You will receive an email with the results of your application. If you do not have a valid email address on file, a letter will be sent through US Mail.

    If your student is approved for free or reduced price meals, they may qualify for other benefits at school or in the community. Save your determination letter as it is official documentation of the meal price status.

    Families new to the National School Lunch Program will need to have their applications submitted and approved before the subsidy will apply, until that time, full charges will apply. For families that received benefits for the previous school year, subsidized meal benefits will carry-over for 30 school-days into the new academic year. A new application must be submitted and approved prior to that 30th day to avoid full-price charges on your student's account. Parents/guardians will be responsible for any accrued fees. 

    Free and Reduced Price Meal Program and Immigration Status

    No immigration restrictions exist for child nutrition programs; children may obtain meals regardless of their immigration status and their status and the status of their parents will not be impacted by receiving free or reduced-price meals under current U.S. law. Since free and reduced-price meals qualify as a "non-cash" benefit, receiving them will not affect the immigration status or process in obtaining or changing their immigration status.

    A healthy, well-balanced meal is essential to student learning! We strongly encourage all students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals to apply for this school-based benefit.

Consent to Share Program Eligibility Information

Free and Reduced Program-Frequently Asked Questions

  • My Shoreline School District student was free/reduced last school year. Do I need to fill out another application? Yes. A new application must be submitted each school year unless you have already received notification that your student was directly certified for free meals.

    Do I need to submit copies of my pay stubs with my application? No. Do not send records with your application, although be prepared to provide supporting documents if we contact you for verification of eligibility.

    How will I be notified if my application was approved/denied? Once the application is processed, you will receive a copy of the determination by email. If you do not have an email address on file, you will receive a letter through the U.S. mail. You are welcome to contact us to check on the status of your application.

    I’ve had a reduction in pay. Can I reapply to reflect my new income?  Yes. If your circumstances change at any time during the school year, please contact us with the new information. No need to fill out another application.

    I have students that attend several different Shoreline schools. Do I need to fill out a separate application for each student? No. Please include all of your students on one application for the entire household.

    May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your students do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced meals. We do not disclose your status to any other agency.

    My child is transferring to a Shoreline school from another district. They were eligible for benefits in the other district. Will they automatically receive free/reduced meals at their new school?  No. Each district maintains their own eligibility records, so a new application will need to be submitted.

    I need help filling out the form. Who can help me?  You can contact us in the Food and Nutrition Services office or get assistance from the Family Advocate or Counselor at your student’s school.

    How do I find out if my student qualifies for a reduction or waiver of school fees?  Contact the Family Advocate or main office at your student's school for programs that are available.

    I heard that Comcast offers a discount on internet service if we qualify for meal benefits.  Yes, currently they do have a special offer on internet service. Click here to go to the Comcast site. You will need to have a copy of your determination letter.

    I did not save the determination email/letter. How do I get a copy? Contact us in the office and we can email or mail a copy of the letter to you.

    I received a determination email/letter for meal benefits but not all of my students are listed. What should I do?  Contact us in the office as soon as possible and we will look into your family record. No need to fill out another application.

    I received an email/letter that said my application was incomplete and benefits were denied. What do I do? Contact us in the office and we will review your application over the phone. No need to fill out another application.

    What is the fastest way to get an application processed? Fill out the electronic application on the Food Service tab of your Family Access account. Otherwise, you can bring your application to us in the Food Services office (located in the back of Hamlin Park). We will process it while you wait. Applications that are mailed, faxed, emailed or dropped off at school are processed in the order they are received in this office.

    My student was approved for free meals. Why is there a charge on their account? Benefits include only the first FULL MEAL (breakfast and lunch). If your student chooses only a milk or juice, they will be charged the current price. Also, if your student chooses any additional items, such as snacks or a second portion, they will be charged accordingly. See "A La Carte" on the Menu page for more information about additional food and beverages for sale.

    Are there other resources in Shoreline that can help families that need assistance? YES! Shoreline is fortunate to have a local Hope-Link center that offers food assistance, employment services, adult education classes, energy assistance and emergency financial help for qualified families. They are a great place to find other community resources as well.  The Shoreline location is at 17837 Aurora Avenue North. Contact number - 206.440.7300.

**Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)**

  • Congress has authorized Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for summer 2023. These benefits will help buy groceries while children are home during the summer months. 

    Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits are available to families with enrolled students who are eligible for Basic Food benefits or approved for free or reduced-price school meals at the end of the school year. For families that previously received P-EBT benefits, no new cards will be issued. If you need a replacement card, please call the P-EBT Contact Center at 1-833-518-0282 between 8 am and 5 pm PT, Monday-Friday (except observed holidays).

    P-EBT Plan Information
    The Children Under 6 and Summer 2023 P-EBT programs will be available as follows:

    • P-EBT Children Under 6 program: Qualifying children under age 6 who live in a household that receives Basic Food benefits (the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Washington state’s Food Assistance Program) may receive $43 for each month they received Basic Food assistance from September 2022 – June 2023.
    • Summer 2023 P-EBT program: Qualifying children under age 6 as well as school-aged children will receive a one-time lump sum of $120 per child to cover the summer period through July and August 2023. School-aged children enrolled in Washington state schools that operate the NSLP who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals are eligible for Summer 2023 P-EBT benefits. Children under 6 will receive benefits under this plan as long as they receive Basic Food assistance during July and August.

    P-EBT Contact Center
    For full details and additional questions about P-EBT benefits, families can visit dshs.wa.gov/PEBT or call the P-EBT Contact Center at 1-833-518-0282 between 8 am and 5 pm PT, Monday-Friday (except observed holidays).

    Families Can Still Access Summer Meals
    P-EBT benefits do not replace any food assistance program already offered, including free summer meals. Families can continue participating in a summer meal program at their local schools and community locations, even if they receive P-EBT benefits.

    Families can Sign Up for Up-To-Date Information
    Families can sign up for text message alerts about the status of their child’s P-EBT by going to textpebt.dshs.wa.gov.

    Can P-EBT affect my family's immigration status? No. Applying for or using P-EBT will not change a parent or child's immigration status. P-EBT is not a public charge. No one will ask about you or your child’s immigration status or citizenship.