Free and Reduced Meals

Free and reduced price meals are available to families who believe they may qualify.  If your family chooses to apply, please complete our online application for free or reduced price meals.  The online application will be available starting July 17, 2023.   The online application will be sent via a secure website directly to Pickens County School Nutrition, eliminating the need for filling out a paper form and sending with your child to school.   For those that prefer a paper application, you may print one from the link below or request one from your school cafeteria manager.    Once the application has been received the district School Nutrition office will determine your eligibility and send you a letter with the results.

"Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form."  This form can be obtained here on the website or at your child's school and returned (completed) to any school office.  Para una versión de este formulario en español, haz clic aquí

Only complete one application per family.  The information you give will be used to determine or prove your child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.  This information may also be used for other state or federally funded school benefits

A new form must be completed for each household or family at the beginning of a new school year. Meal benefits from the previous school year will carry over into the next school year for the first 30 days of school. After this Grace period, if we haven't processed a new household or family application, the meal eligibility will go to fully paid. You will be notified by email or US mail of your child's status. Until notification, you must provide your child with a lunch or lunch money.

Factors considered in the application process are the household size and total household income. Household size is considered all persons, related or unrelated: Including parents, children, grandparents who live in your home and share living expenses. The total household income is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.

Free and Reduced Frequently Asked Questions

When completing your application online, be sure to have:

Student ID number.  This is usually found on your student's class schedule and their assigned Pickens County School District email.

Your income information.  Give us your gross earnings (what you earn BEFORE taxes and deductions from your pay)

Income information of all members living in your household.

Be sure to press the "FINISHED" button when you have completed your application.  This will finalize your application and submit for processing and final approval

If you do not have a computer at home, you can scan the URL link using a smartphone to complete the application.