APPLY FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
There is no charge for meal benefits this year, but families are encouraged to complete the application at https://smfcsd.rocketscanapps.com/ to confirm eligibility. This eligibility may qualify you for outside services or benefits.
Applying is is FAST, SIMPLE, and SECURE. If you need a paper Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals, they are available in the school office, the kitchen at the school site, and the San Mateo-Foster City School District Offices. You may also contact Child Nutrition Services at (650) 312-1968 to obtain a paper application.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can add to your food budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods in many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs. To find out how to apply for benefits in your county, please call the toll free number 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD), or apply online at Benefitscal.org.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or just had a baby; Children under 5 years old (including foster children); Families with low to medium income (working families may qualify). WIC has local offices all over California. For general information, call (888)-WIC-WORKS (888-942-9675) or use the online mobile-friendly website at https://m.wic.ca.gov to find a WIC local agency site near you.
Medi-Cal is free or low-cost health coverage for children and adults with limited income and resources. You can apply online at CoveredCA.com. A single application will let you know if you qualify for Covered California or Medi-Cal coverage. You can apply in person at your local human services agency or over the phone by calling (800) 300-1506. If you need help applying or have a question, you can contact a trained Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) for free. Search a list of local Certified Enrollment Counselors or call (800) 300-1506.
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is one of the largest food banks in the nation. Currently providing food to more than one-quarter of a million people every month. For additional family food and nutrition programs, contact Second Harvest Food Bank at (800) 984-3663.
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT INFORMATION ACT COMMUNICATION
Notice: The California Revenue and Taxation Code (RTC) Section 19853(b) requires local educational agencies (LEA) that operate the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to annually notify households about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 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.
For additional information, refer to the IRS EITC Web page at:
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit
or the California EITC Web page at:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/faq/net/900.shtml
If you have questions regarding this subject, please contact the IRS by phone at 800-829-3676 or through its Web site at www.irs.gov. You can also contact the Franchise Tax Board by phone at 800-852-5711 or through its Web site at www.ftb.ca.gov.
