Simplified: Changes to eligibility requirements for federal food assistance programs will mean some families will need to jump through a few extra hoops to ensure their kids can still receive free lunches.

Why it matters

  • The "One Big, Beautiful Bill" passed by Congress this summer brought changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – including stricter work requirements. And those requirements may mean some families no longer qualify for SNAP or choose not to re-apply, according to Child Nutrition Services Coordinator Gay Anderson.
  • Right now, about 5,300 students are automatically qualified for free lunches at school because their families receive SNAP benefits. But without that direct route to qualify, families will need to take extra steps to fill out an application to income-qualify for free lunches.
    • Additional federal changes could require the district to conduct income verifications (i.e. gather pay stubs, etc.) for every single one of those families, when in the past the district has verified around 3% of applications.
  • Meanwhile, the Sioux Falls School District is seeing a record high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunches at 49.76%, which amounts to more than 12,300 kids.
"I have not seen it this high," Anderson said, noting that it'll likely drop by a few percentage points once the grace period for families to re-apply for SNAP ends.

Tell me more

In addition to stricter work requirements, Anderson said she's also heard families are shy about applying for SNAP benefits for other reasons – including concerns about stricter immigration enforcement.

  • Anderson emphasized the district's free lunch application is not being used to identify undocumented families.

It's also worth noting that thousands of kids in the district do not receive SNAP benefits but do qualify for free lunches.

The district in recent years has also used its Angel Fund to offer free lunches to families who don't quite meet the income qualifications but still fall under 210% of the federal poverty line (about $67,500 for a family of four).

  • This year, those funds are paying for meals for 336 kids.

Additionally, for the third year in a row, the Sioux Falls School District is also covering the difference for families who qualify for reduced-price lunches – meaning every kid who qualifies for free or reduced lunches will be getting free lunches.

Is it too late to apply for free lunches?

No.

Anderson said it's never too late, and families can also reapply throughout the year if their income changes or if they add another member to the family.

Families can also ask Child Nutrition Services for help in filling out the free lunch application – which Anderson notes is also available in several languages.

How can I help kids who can't afford lunch?

The school district accepts donations to its Angel Fund, which is used to ensure no child goes hungry at school. You can make a tax-deductible donation online or via check. Learn more here.