EES announces free milk eligibility guidelines

EASTFORD — The Eastford School District has announced its policy for determining which children may receive free milk served under the Special Milk Program (SMP). Local school officials have adopted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for family size and income criteria.

Connecticut will use the following income guidelines from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, to determine participants’ eligibility for free milk in the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).

Students residing in households with income at or below the levels shown in the chart below are eligible for free milk through the SMP. All households received a family application via mail. To apply for free milk through the SMP, households should complete the application and return it to the school. Only one application is required per household and an application for free milk cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.

The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only to determine eligibility and to administer and enforce the free milk program through the SMP. Additionally, all school-aged students in income-eligible households can receive school milk benefits regardless of a student’s immigration status and the district/school does not release information for immigration-related purposes in the usual course of operating the CNPs. Note that the district may share your eligibility information with education, health, social service, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules. School or other program officials may also verify this information at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

No application is required if the district directly certifies a student based on a household member receiving assistance from the SNAP or the TFA program. All students in these households are eligible for free school milk through the SMP. The school district will notify households receiving assistance under the SNAP/TFA programs of their eligibility and all enrolled students residing in the household will be offered free school meals or free milk through the SMP unless the household notifies the determining official that it chooses to decline benefits. If any students were not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the district or school to have free milk benefits extended to those students. Households receiving SNAP or TFA benefits for their children should only submit an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 30, 2026.

Some students may be directly certified for free milk through the SMP based on HUSKY A (Medicaid). No application is required if the district directly certifies a student based on participation in HUSKY A (Medicaid). Students in these households are likely eligible for free milk benefits and will be notified of their eligibility and their children will be offered free milk through the SMP, unless the household notifies the determining official that it chooses to decline benefits. If any students were not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the district or school to have free milk benefits extended to those students.

Additionally, some students may be eligible for free milk through the SMP if the students were determined to be eligible for Summer Electronic Benefits (S-EBT). No application is required if the district determines that a student is eligible for free milk due to participation in S-EBT. Students in these households are likely eligible for free milk benefits and will be notified of their eligibility, and their children will be offered free milk accordingly, unless the household notifies the determining official that it chooses to decline benefits. If any students were not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the district or school to have free milk benefits extended to those students.

If a student is not directly certified, the household should complete and submit a free application form. Households must provide proof of the SNAP or TFA client ID number. An adult household member’s signature is also required.

Students in WIC may be eligible for free milk. Please complete and submit a free milk application or contact the determining official for more information.

When known to the district/school, households will be notified of any student’s eligibility for free milk if the individual student is “Other Source Categorically Eligible” because the student is categorized as either: homeless; runaway as defined by law and determined by the district’s or school’s homeless liaison; or enrolled in an eligible Head Start or pre-kindergarten class as defined by law. Households with students who are categorically eligible under Other Source Categorically Eligible Programs should complete and submit a free milk application and check off the relevant box. Direct questions to the determining official.

For any student not listed on the eligibility notice, the households should contact the school or determining official about any student also eligible under one of these programs or should submit an income application for the other students.

Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the determining official or school if it chooses to decline the free school milk benefits. If the district/school does not notify households/students of their free milk benefits and they receive benefits under qualifying public assistance programs or Other Source Categorically Eligible Programs, the parent/guardian should contact the determining official at their school.

Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are categorically eligible for free school milk. A foster parent does not have to complete a free milk application if they can submit a copy of the legal document or legal court order showing that the student is a foster child. Additionally, a foster child may be included as a member of the foster family if the foster family chooses to also apply for benefits. If the foster family is not eligible for free milk benefits, the foster child can still receive free milk. A foster child’s eligibility for free school milk does not automatically extend to all students in the household. Free milk application forms for all other households require a statement of total household income, household size, and names of all household members. Include the last four digits of the Social Security number of an adult household member, or a statement that the household member does not have one. The adult household member must also sign the application certifying that the information provided is correct.

Under the policy for determining eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals, Principal Carole McCombe will review applications and determine students’ eligibility for free milk. If a parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the determining official’s ruling, they may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official informally. If they wish to make a formal appeal, they may submit a request, either orally or in writing, to Principal Carole McCombe at (860) 974-1130 or [email protected] for a hearing to appeal the decision.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes at any time, the household should contact the school to file a new free milk application. These changes may make the household’s students eligible for free milk if household income falls at or below the levels shown in the Income Eligibility Guidelines.

For questions about the free and reduced-price school meals application process, contact the determining official at (860) 974-1130.