Eligibility Guidelines
Children need healthy meals to learn. North East ISD offers healthy meals every school day.
Lunch
Full Price—Elementary Students $2.65
Full Price—Secondary Students $2.95
Reduced Meal Students $0.00
Preschool—Elementary Students $2.35
All Adults $5.25
Breakfast
Full Price—Elementary Students $1.45
Full Price—Secondary Students $1.45
Reduced Meal Students $0.00
Preschool—Elementary Students $1.35
All Adults $3.50
Income Guidelines
Children can receive free or reduced-price meals if a household’s gross income is within limits described in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
FAQs
Who can get free meals?
Income
Children can get free or reduced-price meals if a household’s gross income is within the limits described in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Children can get free or reduced-price meals if a household’s gross income is within the limits described in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Special Assistance Program Participants
Children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are eligible for free meals.
Children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are eligible for free meals.
Foster
Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. If you are applying for a foster child, also report the child’s foster status to the school.
Head Start, Early Head Start, and Even Start
Children participating in these programs are eligible for free meals.
Homeless, Runaway, and Migrant
Head Start, Early Head Start, and Even Start
Children participating in these programs are eligible for free meals.
Homeless, Runaway, and Migrant
Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven’t been told about a child’s status as homeless, runaway, or migrant or you feel a child may qualify for one of these programs, please call or email your child’s school.
WIC Recipient
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
How do I apply for free or reduced-price meals for my children?
You can apply online at SchoolCafe or complete a paper application for free or reduced-price meals and return it to the school or the School Nutrition Services office at 3623 Highpoint Street, San Antonio, TX 78217. Applications are distributed at the beginning of the school year and are available during the school year at the school upon request or you can call 210-356-9100 to request an application
Can I apply online?
Yes. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application.
The online application is available at SchoolCafe.com in mid-July each year.
Should I fill out a different application for each child in my household?
No. Only one application (either online or paper) should be used for all students living in your household. If you have an institutionalized student, fill out a separate application for that child. If you need to make changes to the information you listed on your application, you can call the School Nutrition office at 210-356-9113 or email mealapplication@neisd.net.
How soon will my application be processed?
During peak periods (especially the first three weeks of school) applications will be processed within 10 working days. Applications received in non-peak periods will typically be processed within 4-5 days.
Do I need to send proof of income with my application?
No. If proof of income is required, you will receive a letter from School Nutrition Services requesting the documentation.
What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount normally received. If a household member lost a job or had hours/wages reduced, use current income.
Will my child’s free or reduced price meal benefits carry over from last year?
Unless your child withdrew from school before the end of last school year, the previous year’s status will carry over to the beginning of the new school year for a limited time. Submit a new application for your child as soon as possible. When your new application is processed, your child’s eligibility will be changed to the new eligibility status effective the next school day. Your child should be prepared to pay for lunch if your income or family size has changed since last year’s application was approved. If we do not receive and approve your new application within the first 30 school days of the new school year, your child’s meal benefits will end on the 30th day of school.
Do I apply if I received a notice indicating that my child is Directly Certified for free meals?
In most cases, no. But read the letter carefully and call the School Nutrition office if you have not received a letter that lists the names of all children in your household that attend school at North East ISD.
My child's status is foster, homeless, runaway or migrant. Do I fill out an application?
Yes. You can include your child's information on the application for the entire household. You must check the box next to the child’s name in Section 1 of the application to indicate that he/she is participating in the program. If you are applying for a Foster, homeless, migrant or runaway student, call the school for more information.
Do I have to complete an application if I receive SNAP (food stamps) or TANF?
Submit an application if you have not received a letter from NEISD. If you receive SNAP you must list the 9-digit Eligibility Group Number assigned by Texas Health & Human Services (not the “Case Number” on your application or your Lone Star card number.)
If you receive TANF you must list the TANF Case Number on your application.
Do I apply if I received a notice that my child's school has qualified for free meals based on the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)?
Students that attend a school that qualifies for CEP will receive free breakfast and lunch without filling out a meal application. However, if you have other NEISD students living in your household that attend a non-CEP school, you need to fill out an application if you want them to receive free or reduced price meals and you have not received a letter stating that they are eligible for the current school year.
We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
Basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. Any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, or Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments count as income. If housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include the housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is excluded from income.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals.
My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes. An application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. Send in a new application unless the school has told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.
Can I apply for free and reduced-price meals later in the school year?
You can apply online or request a paper application at any time during the school year. You can also re-apply if your household increases in size, your income decreases, or you are approved for SNAP or TANF.
Will the information I list on my application be checked?
Yes. We may ask you to send written proof.
Am I responsible for any meal charges before my application is approved?
Yes.
If I was approved at another Texas school district this school year and move to NEISD, do I still need to apply?
No. If you have a copy of your approval letter for the current school year from the former district your child attended, you may bring a copy of the letter to our office at 3623 Highpoint Street, San Antonio, Texas 78217. NEISD will verify the approval status with the former school district.
How do I get in touch with the School Nutrition office?
We are located at 3623 Highpoint Street, San Antonio, Texas 78217. For questions regarding free & reduced price meals, call 210-356-9113. You may also email us at mealapplication@neisd.net. During the peak application processing period (the first few weeks of school) it may take us a day or two to return your call. Please leave a voice mail message or email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
If my household is approved for benefits, do I have to report changes during the school year?
No. But if you have a loss of income, become eligible for SNAP or TANF or have an increase in the household members and you report it to the School Nutrition office, you may qualify for an increased level of benefits.
What percentage of North East ISD students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
48% of North East ISD students qualified for free or reduced meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
Will I be notified if I am approved or disapproved for meal benefits?
Yes. You will receive a letter advising your eligibility status once your application has been processed.
Will the information on my application be kept confidential?
Yes. The information on your request is kept confidential. Also, the student’s participation in the program is kept confidential. Other students and teachers in the lunch line will not know if your child receives free or reduced price meals.
If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes. Apply at any time during the school year. A child with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
What if I disagree with the school’s decision on my application?
You should contact the School Nutrition Services office at 210-356-9113. You may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing to Misty Gomez, Financial Analyst, 3623 Highpoint Street, San Antonio, Texas 78217; 210-356-9100.
My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out how to apply for other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or 2-1-1.
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, 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: 1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.