Meals for Washington Students

IMPORTANT

The Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application is launching for school year 2024–25 and must be distributed by all LEAs, including those operating CEP and Provision 2.

Contact Information

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP)

360-725-6200
TTY: 360-664-3631

Staff Contacts

House Bill 1238 (HB 1238) requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide meals at no cost to students enrolled at elementary schools where 30% or more of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. This requirement is based on the preceding year’s October Building Data.

Refer to the Comparison of Meal Service Options chart and the State Funding Flow Chart to determine how HB 1238 differs from other meal service options implemented under NSLP.

Schools Operating HB 1238 in School Year 2024–25

Eligible Schools

Getting Started with HB 1238
Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application Information 

HB 1238 requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to collect free and reduced-price meal applications and claim meals by eligibility category (free, reduced-price, and paid). Under the bill, the state will provide supplemental funding for the difference between the paid and free meal reimbursement so all meals are reimbursed at the federal free rate.

Application Materials

These materials are templates for school district use. PARENTS- please visit the Washington School Meals Application Finder or your school district's website for application materials. Translations for the following documents will be added as they become available.

2025-26 Materials

Consent to Share Eligibility Template Notice of Direct Certification & Direct Certification-Medicaid Template Notice of Approval/Denial of Benefits Template

 

2024-25 Materials

It's More Than a Meal Application Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to help districts promote the importance of families filling out the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application each year. The information collected on these forms can help schools receive funding for important programs.

Flyers & Templates

Social Media

Annual Verification Requirements

Verifying free and reduced-price meal applications remains an annual requirement for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) operating under HB 1238. The materials below have been updated to reflect the legislation. Additional information on verification requirements can be found on the Meal Application & Verification webpage.