Apply for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)
The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for reduced-price meals pay $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.
How to Apply
Please submit only one application per household. Families that need computer or language assistance to apply online, please contact your child’s school.
View the federal income eligibility guidelines.
Online
- The online application is now available in Spanish.
- After the online application has been submitted and reviewed, eligibility notifications will be sent via email/mail.
By mail
Paper applications are sent home with students on the first day of school. Paper applications can also be picked up in the Food and Nutrition Service Office (5451 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044).
Applications can be returned to your child’s school or mailed to the Food and Nutrition Service Office:
HCPSS Food & Nutrition Service Office
10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Families must submit a new application every school year
During the first 30 school days, students with free and reduced-price meal eligibility from the prior school year will be carried over.
Any student who has not filled out an application up to the 30th school day will have their prior year status changed to full pay status until a new application is received. Parents / guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. Also, it is very important that applications are filled out correctly.
Did you get a direct certification letter?
Based on monthly information from the Department of Social Services, some students are directly certified to receive free breakfast and lunch meals without submitting an application.
If families receive a direct certification letter in the mail/email, families do not have to fill out a free and reduced-price meal form for the school year.
All other students who did not receive a Direct Certification letter must fill out a new form.
Questions
If you have additional questions regarding the FARMs program, please review our FAQ Section or call 410-313-6743.
2017-2018 Income Eligibility Guidelines
Household Size: 1
Year: $22,311
Month: $1,860
Week: $430
Household Size: 2
Year: $30,044
Month: $2,504
Week: $578
Household Size: 3
Year: $37,777
Month: $3,149
Week: $727
Household Size: 4
Year: $45,510
Month: $3,793
Week: $876
Household Size: 5
Year: $53,243
Month: $4,437
Week: $1,024
Household Size: 6
Year: $60,976
Month: $5,082
Week: $1,173
Household Size: 7
Year: $68,709
Month: $5,726
Week: $1,322
Household Size: 8
Year: $76,442
Month: $6,371
Week: $1,471
For each additional family member add:
Year: + $7,733
Month: + $645
Week: + $149
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to apply for the FARMs Program, but am concerned that my student may get embarrassed if the teachers or other students learn that we need assistance. How can this be avoided?
We keep student/family FARMs eligibility confidential. We will not discuss student eligibility with anyone except students, parents, guardians and cafeteria managers. All HCPSS schools currently use a Point of Sale (POS) system in cafeterias. All students must enter a six digit (6) PIN number in the POS system to pay for meals. By using this system, students do not know if a classmate’s lunch was pre-paid, free or reduced price.
May I submit just one FARMs application for all of my children?
Yes. This is a family/household application and all children must be listed on one application whether you complete a paper application or submit an online application.
My student was eligible for free meals last year. Do I need to apply this year?
Yes. Families must apply every year to determine their eligibility in the FARMs program. Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines change every year, and it is likely that most household situations change each year. To avoid interruption in meal benefits while new applications are processed, student eligibility is carried over temporarily from the previous school year until the new application can be processed in September of the new school year. Once the new application is processed, the eligibility that is determined will be in effect. Carryover applications not renewed will be terminated at the end of September and all benefits will cease.
When can I apply?
Students or families may apply any time during the school year.
My child brought home a FARMs Program Application and said I must complete and return it to school. Are all families/households required to fill out the application?
No. All families/households are not required to fill out the application. Only families/households who need assistance and fall within the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines should apply. Applications are automatically sent home with every student on the first day of school. Guidelines are printed on the front of the application to help parents/guardians determine if they might qualify for the program.
Why was my student’s application determined to not be eligible for the FARMs program?
Applications are evaluated solely on the number of household members and gross income – no other circumstances can be considered. If you believe your gross income (amount before deductions) is at or less than the maximum income limits for your household size that is listed in the Income Eligibility Guidelines, you should contact the Food and Nutrition Service Office to be certain that you have completed your application correctly.
My family situation has changed. Can I reapply to the FARMs program?
Yes. Families whose household situations change may reapply at any time during the school year.