No Cost Meals

Clovis Unified provides breakfast and lunch for every CUSD student as part of the National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program. Children from qualifying households are eligible to receive these meals at no cost. Read on for information about income eligibility requirements and how to apply for no cost meals.

How to Apply for No-Cost Meal Benefits

Households must complete a new application each school year to determine eligibility for no cost meals.

2020/2021 No-Cost Meal Application processing will commence at the beginning of August, 2020. If your student received no-cost meals at a CUSD school during the 2019-2020 school year, his/her benefits status will remain the same for the first 30 operating days of the school year or until a 2020-2021 application has been processed. Each CUSD household will receive a 2020-2021 paper application in the mail at the beginning of each new school year. Additionally, paper applications are available at each school site, in the Campus Catering office, and, with a letter informing them of the availability of no-cost and reduced-price breakfast and lunch for children enrolled in CUSD schools. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year.

Apply online:

https://qweb.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/FSOnline/Main/Login

Print a paper application: Click here to download and print a paper application

Application instructions: Click here to download and print instructions on how to complete a paper application

Printed applications for the 2020-2021 school year may be submitted for processing after July 1, 2020 to the Campus Catering office at 310 N. Sunnyside Ave. Clovis, CA 93611. You may also submit printed applications for processing to the cafeteria at your school site throughout the school year.

Income Eligibility Guidelines

July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for no-cost (breakfast and lunch) benefits. Children from households with income at or below the levels shown here are eligible for no-cost breakfast and lunch. The information provided by the applicant on the application will be used to determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials.

	2020-2021 No Cost Eligibility Scale – lunch, breakfast
Household Size	Annual	Monthly	Twice Per Month	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	$ 23,606	$ 1,968	$ 984	$ 908	$ 454
2	$ 31,894	$ 2,658	$ 1,329	$ 1,227	$ 614
3	$ 40,182	$ 3,349	$ 1,675	$ 1,546	$ 773
4	$ 48,470	$ 4,040	$ 2,020	$ 1,865	$ 933
5	$ 56,758	$ 4,730	$ 2,365	$ 2,183	$ 1,092
6	$ 65,046	$ 5,421	$ 2,711	$ 2,502	$ 1,251
7	$ 73,334	$ 6,112	$ 3,056	$ 2,821	$ 1,411
8	$ 81,622	$ 6,802	$ 3,401	$ 3,140	$ 1,570
For each additional family member, add:
	$ 8,288	$ 691	$ 346	$ 319	$ 160

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT—In accordance with Federal civil rights law and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (state or local) where they applied for the benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: rel=”noopener”>http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form or letter 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, (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or, (3) email: [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Application Instructions

If your household RECEIVES CalFresh (Food Stamps), CalWORKs, or FDPIR, and you have not received a Direct Certification notice, please list the program name and case number on the application. If your household is on any of the above programs and you have listed the appropriate program name and number, you do not need to fill out income information.

If your household does not receive any of the assistance programs listed above, the application must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the signature and last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult household member signing the application, or indicate a number is not available by checking the “I Do Not Have a Social Security Number” box.

Under the provisions of the no-cost meal policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing on the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact Campus Catering at (559) 327-9140 for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official.

If at any point during the school year a household member becomes unemployed, the household size increases, or if an individual in the household becomes eligible for the assistance programs previously mentioned, a new application should be submitted. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below eligibility levels.

Foster Children
Foster children are automatically eligible for no-cost meals, however, an application may be necessary. The foster child’s personal income, if any, must be reported. Households with foster and non-foster children are encouraged to complete an application since foster children may be counted as household members which may help the foster family’s non-foster children qualify for no-cost meals based on the household size and income.

Confidentiality
Enrollment in the program is confidential. Names and information of those enrolled in the program will not be released to any internal or external entities; even students are not aware they are enrolled in the program, unless they are told by parents.

Testing and College Application Fee Assistance
Enrollment in the no-cost meal program offers additional benefits to high school students.

Students in the program qualify for Advanced Placement, SAT and ACT test fee waivers. In addition, discounts on college application fees for students interested in college and trade schools are available. Students enrolled in the no-cost meal program will also have an easier time filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

Families are encouraged to contact their high school Counseling Center to receive additional information from counselors on these benefits.

Internet Essentials from Comcast
In addition to assistance with college application fees, testing fees and other aid tied to qualifying for the national meal program, families are eligible for the “Internet Essentials” program from Comcast.

The program offers low-cost Internet service, computer equipment and free digital literacy training to families with at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program.

Internet Essentials includes:

Home Internet service for $9.95 (plus tax) per month;
The option to buy a computer for $149.99 (plus tax); and
Access to online, in print and in classroom digital literacy training free of charge.

Comcast offers Internet Essentials in all areas where Comcast provides Internet service. Applicants cannot have subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the past 90 days, have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

The Internet Essentials program guarantees no price increases, no activation fees and no equipment rental fees.

For additional information about Internet Essentials, including program eligibility criteria, call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) toll-free or visit www.internetessentials.com or www.internetbasico.com

Direct Certification

Clovis Unified participates in Direct Certification. If your household currently receives benefits from one of the following programs: CalFresh (previously Food Stamps), California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), you may not need to fill out an application. You will be notified of your children’s eligibility for no-cost meals. If you do not receive a notice from CUSD Campus Catering informing you that children in your household have been directly certified, please fill out an application.

Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act

Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its Web site at www.irs.gov

You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its Web site at .www.ftb.ca.gov

Additional Benefits Available to Qualifying Applicants

Testing and College Application Fee Assistance
Enrollment in the no-cost meal program offers additional benefits to high school students.

Students in the program qualify for Advanced Placement, SAT and ACT test fee waivers. In addition, discounts on college application fees for students interested in college and trade schools are available. Students enrolled in the no-cost meal program will also have an easier time filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

Families are encouraged to contact their high school Counseling Center to receive additional information from counselors on these benefits.

Internet Essentials from Comcast
In addition to assistance with college application fees, testing fees and other aid tied to qualifying for the national meal program, families are eligible for the “Internet Essentials” program from Comcast.

The program offers low-cost Internet service, computer equipment and free digital literacy training to families with at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program.

Internet Essentials includes:

Home Internet service for $9.95 (plus tax) per month;
The option to buy a computer for $149.99 (plus tax); and
Access to online, in print and in classroom digital literacy training free of charge.

Apply Now

Apply Online

Download and print a paper application

instructions on how to complete a paper application

CEP (Community Eligibility Provision)

Clovis Unified School District will serve breakfast and lunch at no charge under the Community Eligibility Provision program (CEP)* to students at the following schools:

= Clovis Community Day

= Fancher Creek Elementary

= Gateway High School

= Miramonte Elementary

= Nelson Elementary

= Pinedale Elementary

= Sierra Vista Elementary

= Tarpey Elementary

= Temperance-Kutner Elementary

= Weldon Elementary

What does this mean for you and your children attending the school(s) identified above?

Students at CEP qualifying sites are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the 2020-21 school year. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

If you have a student(s) attending a CUSD school not listed above:

If you have a student in a Clovis Unified school not listed, you will need to fill out an application to determine eligibility (unless you have received a letter informing you that your child has been directly certified). All members of your household must be listed on the application including students attending CEP sites, children living in the household who do not attend CUSD (infants, toddlers, graduates, college students, children attending non-cusd schools), and all adult household members. Applications are available online at cusd.com, in the Campus Catering office, and at all school sites.

*Community Eligibility Provision – Allows schools and local educational agencies to provide no-cost meals to all students enrolled

in eligible areas and eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for school meal programs.