Free or Reduced Lunch?

Question

Does anyone get free or reduced lunch for their kids at school? We are a family of 6 (4 kids) on just my husband's income (he works two jobs) and we have always made it work and have never received any assistance of any kind. With the economy so bad lately and my oldest two (13 yr twins) having just got braces, money is so tight. I know we would qualify but even so, we have never applied. My husband doesn't want to and says we will make it work but I know that's just his pride talking and we will be struggling to come up with the money. With 4 kids in school and one lunch costing $2.50. That's $37.50 per week (one takes home lunch all the time) which is $150.00 a month. Sometimes the others take lunch from home so it would be a little less than that. We are really good at budgeting and planning for these things but gas and food prices are outragous right now and I think we should apply.

Should we apply for it or should we suck it up and try to get by without it...what would you do?

and please save the "don't have kids if you can't afford them" c**p. We take good care of our kids and have never got any assistance of any kind. Things come up like the braces and things add up and times are tough right now, that's all.

I stay home because we feel it's what is best for the kids and my husband loves his second job. I volunteer a lot at school and am home when they get home. We don't have to pay sitters when they are sick or on vacation or in the summer. My husband has been at his main job for 14 years.

Answer 1

i don't see anything wrong with it.  if you qualify then there is obviously a need for it.  do what you think is best for your family.

Answer 2

I am a tax payer and I say go for it.  If you are on hard times right now and this will help your children (which are the most important details in all this) , then by all means, do it.  I'm all for it.  I can think of nothing better to spend my tax dollars on than children...especially if they are children of parents who ARE trying to make it work.

************************ADDED ************

WAITING FOR THE BABY*********:  How dare you cast judgment on someone for staying home with her children instead of working.  Is she not entitled to her own opinion concerning what is best for her children?  YOU get free child care so obviously you DO have a hand out...it just happens to be handed to you by someone you know rather than the government or state.  And you seem to be forgetting one important fact that makes everything you said moot...her husband works TWO jobs.  That means he is paying just as much in taxes as you and your husband. You aren't the only one paying taxes!

Answer 3

This is a personal family decision.  We can't really help you if you and your husband aren't in agreement over this can we?

If you feel like you really need to, apply.  You can always just do it temporarily for a semester or just for the year until you catch up on expenses.

If all your kids are in school, coulnd't you get a part time job for a few hours during the day to help out with some of the extra expenses?

Also, you could look into a flex spending account if your husband's employer offers it to help manage the cost of the braces and other medical expenses you might have.

Answer 4

i would get it thats what the program is for to help people with the cost.  i was on free lunches when i was in school. take what ever help you need to. your hubby won't know really and it'll help with grocerys too cause you can use that money for grocerys.  i would do it  

Answer 5

Even though you are not struggling too much I would suggest getting a part time job to help out.  I work even though I would much rather stay home with my children and volunteer at the school.  I work so we do not struggle.  In my opinion in order to qualify for any help, whether it be WIC, school lunches, etc, both parents should have to be working.  If you are working hard and still having troubles making ends meet, then by all means, apply for assistance. If not, get a job!!    

Answer 6

You have to do what you think is best. Would it be practical for your kids to take their lunches to school every day? That would probably save money if you don't want to try the free/reduced lunch program. There's nothing wrong with using that program as long as you're honest on the application. If your school system is like the one where we are, none of the other kids would know that your children receive discounted prices on lunch. (I know some kids can be embarrassed by getting free or reduced lunch prices) You simply pay whatever your cost is weekly or monthly and your child proceeds through the line with the other kids.  

Answer 7

definately apply...the worst they can do is tell you that you make too much. For the last 2 years both my kids have been on reduced lunch. It costs me $4 a week for 2 kids instead of $20 a week. In our school system all kid who buy lunch have a computerized card that they "buy" thier lunch with...even the free lunch kids scan thier card...so any discounts are between the child and the cashier.

I paid taxes for years...and pay about $1400 a year in taxes for the schools so I don't feel bad about it at all. If I lied on my application and got benefits I did not need or deserve I might, but it does not sound like you are trying to cheat the system at all. also ask the school if there is a waiver program for the school fees too. Last year they waived like $80 in fees between my 2 kids. that would have really put a crunch on my budget if I had to fork those out 2..

ADDING:

mamaB...someof us cannot work due to circumstances beyond our control. I am physcially capable of working a paying job, but instead I have been home for 3 years. I have 1 child that gets on the bus at 730am and off at 315, another that gets on at 830 and off at 420 AND a 2 year old with special needs. I go to 30 minute speech therapy sessions 2 x per week, monthly psychiatric appointments , and every 3 month endocrinologist appointments. Our school system has 2 hour late start once a month. What job could I possibly get that would let me work from 9am-230pm, but be late 2x a week so I can take my youngest to speech therapy, and late another time a month for late start AND maybe more for the other appointments? I used to do fast food, but I am 33 years old and cannot work for $6 an hour and pay childcare for  a 2 year old. On top of all that, my husband is epileptic, so I have to be available to go get him if he feels a seizure coming on.

Answer 8

There are many students who qualify and receive free or reduced lunches.  In fact the way the system works now in most places it's all compurterized and no one will even know except the office staff when you ask for the paper work and turn it in. Both my husband and I are teachers and there are many students that get free and reduced lunches.

Answer 9

There is no shame in applying for free or reduced lunch and there is no way anyone outside of the family would ever know because schools are required to make sure that those students are handled the same way as others.  It is really tight for all of us right now.  Go ahead and apply, that is what the program is there for.  It says nothing about your parenting or your husband's ability to provide, it says a lot about the state of the economy right now.  You might be surprised at how high the lunch programs levels are set, it is there to provide hot lunches (and breakfast in some places) for the most number of students possible.

Answer 10

Go and apply for it.  All they can say is no, and your kids deserve to have a good lunch.  There is no shame in doing this.  

Answer 11

When I was in school there were kids that were in middle class families that were getting reduced/free lunches.  We thought nothing bad of them.  If you need the help go for it.  Its not a bid deal when it comes to reduced lunches.  

Answer 12

I think you should apply. Nothing wrong with it. Your taxes are paying every bit of their lunch anyhow. I think school lunches should be free for everyone anyhow. Where is all the school funding going? I know for certainty it isn't going for all things school related. our school gets $13,000. per child and it's a pretty small school. I honestly don't know why I get a $90. bill each month for lunch. silly.

I stay home, too, for the time being and my husband works about 70 hours per week. although, we are considered middle class- I know we would qualify, too. I want to apply- but husband says no. I'm in the same boat.

It's almost to the point , with groceries and gas DOUBLING in the past year, that I may apply, too. It's not a handout. It's getting rid of one more bill so that our kids can enjoy OTHER stuff, too (trips/actvities).

You could do so much with that money each month.

Edit: I just looked at the paper sent home with qualifying guidelines and it says they allow $12,500. per household member. Meaning if your husband made less than $75,000. a year you would get free lunch. It goes up for reduced- but doesn't say how much, as they encourage everyone to apply.

Answer 13

Your husband "loves" working two jobs?   Staying home or volunteering at the school all day when the kids are at school, instead of working when your family is in financial difficulties is "best for the kids"?    

Sorry.   Not buying it.