Free and Reduced-Price Meals
How to Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
During the 2025-2026 school year, all York Suburban schools will be participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and will provide free breakfasts for all enrolled students. Additionally, students identified as eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) will not be charged for their meals.
Parents and Guardians: Please review the information letter in the application packet linked below to learn about the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Process. As a reminder, applications are due every year before the end of the 30-day grace period, usually in early October, and can be submitted at any time during the school year.
- 2025-2026 Free and Reduced Meal Application Packet - English
- 2025-2026 Free and Reduced Meal Application Packet - Spanish
Application Options
Application Options
Option 1 - Recommended
It is strongly recommended that families complete their application online in SchoolCafe. Directions on how to create your account and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Student Meal Accounts: Using SchoolCafe website.
Option 2
COMPASS, a Department of Public Welfare system, allows Pennsylvanians to apply for programs like Free & Reduced Price School Meals, Food Stamps, Energy Assistance, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), etc.
Option 3
If you are not able to complete the application online, please use the links below to access a PDF version of the application and instructions.
- Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals - English
- Instructions - English
- Free and Reduced Meals Instructions and Application - Translated into 49 languages
Please note, if you received a Notice of Direct Certification for free meals, you do not need to complete the application process. Please let the District know if all children in your household are not listed on the Notice of Direct Certification letter you received, or if you have not received your notice letter by the first day of school.
For Assistance and Approval Information
If you need assistance completing the application process or have questions about your approval status, please contact Megan Sheely, Administrative Assistant for Food Services at 717-885-1169 or email yssdfoodservice@yssd.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive free or reduced meals?
- All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (cash assistance) are eligible for free meals.
- Foster children under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
- Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
- Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
- Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Refer to the chart in the application packet for further details.
How do I know if my children qualify as homeless, migrant, or runaway?
Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail the contacts below:
- Homeless Coordinator: Brienna Derr, Social Worker, bderr@yssd.org, 717-885-1260
- Migrant Information Coordinator: Dr. Rebecca Lorfink, Assistant Superintendent, rlorfink@yssd.org, 717-885-1126
Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. You may request a paper application from the school at any time. Return the completed application to: Megan Sheely, 1800 Hollywood Drive, York, PA 17403.
Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are already approved for free meals?
No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact your child's school immediately.
Can I apply online?
Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online application instead of a paper application if you are able. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as the paper application. Visit https://www.schoolcafe.com/YSSD or visit the PA Department of Human Services website at www.compass.state.pa.us. to begin or to learn more about the online application process. Contact Megan Sheely, (717) 885-1169, yssdfoodservice@yssd.org if you have any questions about the online application.
My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first 30 days of the school year. You must complete a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not complete a new application approved by the school, or if you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.
I get WIC. Can my children get free meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please complete an application.
Will the information I give be checked?
Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials.
You should talk to school officials. You may also request a hearing by calling or writing to Dr. Rebecca Lorfink at 1800 Hollywood Drive, York, PA 17403, or (717) 885-1210.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced price meals.
What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you usually receive. For example, if you typically make $1,000 each month but missed some work last month and only made $900, put down $1,000 per month. If you normally work overtime, include it; if you only work overtime sometimes, do not include it. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
What if some household members have no income to report?
Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application, or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write a 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left blank, they will also be counted as zeros. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any
cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
What if there isn't enough space on the application for my family?
List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper and attach it to your application. Contact Megan Sheely at (717) 885-1169 or yssdfoodservice@yssd.org to receive a second application if needed.
My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out how to apply for SNAP or other assistance benefits, visit www.compass.state.pa.us, contact your local county assistance office, or call the Department of Human Services at 1-800-692-7462.
If you have other questions or need help, call Megan Sheely at (717) 885-1169.