1. Update letters and disclosures.
Get started on free-and-reduced meal applications by updating your letter to parents. Go to PaySchools Admin and click on QuikApps. Family disclosures can also be added or copied from the previous school year in Admin. Go to Location Configuration > Edit disclosure categories
2. Determine your district’s free-and-reduced eligibility protocols for the ’22-’23 school year.
During the pandemic, eligibility for free school meals broadened and evolved. More changes are underway for the upcoming school year. On May 16, 2022, the USDA provided guidance that said, “Students’ previously determined as free or reduced can be carried over for 30 school days.” Because the circumstances are so complicated and can vary by district and community, we ask that you contact [email protected] to confirm your district’s eligibility and options. Each district must determine the most current eligibility based on direct certification or meal applications from SY21-22 or SY20-21 or even SY19-20. Our team will help you figure out the eligibility processes your district should use.
3. Optimize direct certification.
As you know, some families are automatically eligible for free-and-reduced meals if they’re already enrolled in other assistance programs, such as SNAP. These direct certifications can be processed starting now. Notifying families of their automatic eligibility now helps families plan, and it also reduces the number of duplicate applications you’ll receive.
4. Use our tools to communicate to families.
Families can submit free-and-reduced meal applications in QuikApps starting now. Easily notify and promote free-and-reduced meal applications to families by using the electronic brochures, templates, and marketing material we provide at our Learning Library.
5. Set the correct carryover date.
For PaySchools Central, the default carryover date is October 1st. If you’d like to modify the date, log in to PaySchools Admin and click on QuikApps>setting>carryover cut-off.
