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 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 http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html; 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, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed 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: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Each school’s office and/or the district's/organization’s main office has a copy of the policy for reduced price and free benefits, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
Part 2/3
Application forms and an informational letter to households are available from the school district or private school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s business office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. An application for reduced price or free Child Nutrition Program benefits can’t be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.
Households receiving food assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will be notified that their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under these programs should submit an application only if they aren’t notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the schools. If a household receiving food assistance, TAF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) completes an application, the children’s names, the food assistance, TAF or FDPIR case number, as well as the signature of an adult household member, must be provided.
Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or receiving certain Medicaid benefits may be eligible for reduced price or free benefits. Households with WIC participants should complete an application as described above. Households approved for program benefits based on Medicaid will be notified.Households with children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a state child welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. The state must retain legal custody of a child. Households will be notified that the foster child(ren) will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Free eligibility is NOT extended to other students in households with foster children, but households with a foster child(ren) can submit an application and list all household members including the foster child(ren). A foster family application could result in different eligibility for family members, such as the foster child(ren) free and the other students could be reduced or free or not eligible for benefits.Households not receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR apply for benefits by completing one application for all children in the household. The application must list names of everyone in the household; the amount of income each household member now receives; source of income; the last four digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member does not possess one; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The eligibility status may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.Under provisions of the reduced price and free benefit policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing on the decision. Contact the school district or private school for the name, address and phone number of the hearing official and information about the hearing procedures.If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the child(ren) in the household eligible for reduced price or free benefits if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department 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.
Part 1/3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2025 Reduced price and free school meals available for Kansas students TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program. Local school officials have adopted the following household income guidelines for determining eligibility for Child Nutrition Program benefits: INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES, SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026 Household Size Free Benefits Reduced Price Benefits
1
$20,345
$28,953
2
$27,495
$39,128
3
$34,645
$49,303
4
$41,795
$59,478
5
$48,945
$69,653
6
$56,095
$79,828
7
$63,245
$90,003
8
$70,395
$100,178
For each additional household member, add
+$7,150
+$10,175
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2025
Kansas Education Commissioner outlines impact of withheld federal Title funds
TOPEKA — Kansas education officials were notified earlier this week that payment to states for certain federal funds already appropriated by Congress for student learning, teacher development and other student-centered services has been delayed indefinitely by the U.S. Department of Education (USED).
“I received a message from the federal department of education late in the day on Monday, June 30, informing me they are reviewing funding for several Title programs,” said Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Education Commissioner. “Normally we would receive notice by July 1 that these funds are being awarded for the coming school year. Now, the funding for these programs remains uncertain as we wait for the U.S. Department of Education’s review of these programs.”
Watson said nearly $50 million in Title funding for Kansas districts is impacted within the following programs:
Title I, Part C: Migrant Education = $6.2 million
Title I-C for migrant education provides support to students from families whose jobs in industries like fisheries and food processing necessitate that they live in different states during different seasons.
Title II, Part A: Teacher and School Leader Supports = $15.8 million
Title II-A funds, also known as Supporting Effective State Instruction grants, pay for districts to offer professional development that helps educators and administrators learn new curriculum approaches, instructional practices, and technology tools.
Title III, Part A: English Learners = $4.8 million
Title III-A funding covers a wide range of services for English learners, whose number represent Kansas’ fastest-growing population of public school students. Under civil rights law, school districts must ensure students who are still learning English have equal access to education, as their peers do.
Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment = $8.3 million
Title IV, Part A improves students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of state educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and local communities to 1) provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; 2) improve school conditions for student learning; and 3) improve the use of technology to improve academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.
Title IV, Part B: 21st Century Before and After-School Programs = $7.8 million
Title IV-B is also known as the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. It provides federal funding for out-of-school time programs, particularly in high poverty and low-performing schools. These programs offer academic enrichment, tutorial services, and other activities to help students meet Kansas and local academic standards, reinforce their regular school day learning, and engage families in their children's education.
“Cuts to Title II-A and Title IV-A specifically may cause acute challenges for rural school districts in Kansas,” Watson said. “Most rural schools receive federal funds from the Rural Education Achievement Program, or REAP, and get extra flexibility to spend funds from those two broader programs as they see fit.”
Watson said he received a separate message from the U.S. Department of Education that stated adult basic and literacy education programs, administered by the Kansas Board of Regents for GED completion and adult education programs, will not be going forward at this time.
“We don’t know when the review of these and other programs will be completed or if we will receive the already approved funding,” Watson said. He added there is no timetable for when these funds will be released, if ever, and Kansas districts should plan accordingly.
Kansas State Department of Education logo and address
900 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 102
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1212
Denise Kahler
Director
Communications and Recognition Programs
(785) 296-4876
Denise.Kahler@ksde.gov
www.ksde.gov
Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.
