What You Need To Know
The purpose of these US benefit programs by the Federal government is to help the people with low income to cover basic expenses like housing, food, and healthcare. Individuals with low income, who need help with basic living expenses may qualify for government benefits. This will enable an individual to cover the housing, food, medical and other costs.
Currently, there are six major U.S. welfare programs namely; Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Housing Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs, etc.
The funding for these programs is provided by the federal government and is administered by the states. Some states also provide additional funds.
About Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program is one of the ‘child nutrition programs’. This nutrition program refers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service programs. These programs are designed to provide food for children in schools or any institutional settings. The popular programs, which serve a huge number of children are the programs designed for the school meals: the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
These programs operate in public, non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions and are federally assisted meal programs. They are responsible for providing nutritionally balanced and low-cost or free lunches to the children each day at school.
The Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program is designed in such a way that it provides cash assistance to the states so that they can operate non-profit breakfast and lunch programs in residential childcare institutions (RCCI) and schools. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the program at the Federal level. The agencies of state education administer the breakfast and lunch program at the state level. The program in schools is operated by the local school food authorities.
Who Administers The Program?
The National school breakfast and lunch program is overseen mutually by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Federal Nutrition Service (FNS) throughout the country. In Alaska particularly the program is administered by Alaska Department of Education.
Benefits of Participation
Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program offer diverse benefits for children, their guardians and educational institutes alike. As far as children are concerned, the Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program provide a nutrient and calorie-rich meal that fulfills approximately one-third of a child’s daily recommended dietary requirements.
For guardians, the program provides them the opportunity to provide nutritious yet affordable lunches to their children, thus reducing the financial burden on the parents. As far as schools go, providing a balanced meal plan to their students can significantly improve cognitive, physical and mental functioning, thus improving academic performance at whole. Research has backed the importance of a nutritious diet in reducing disciplinary and attendance issues in primary and secondary children.
Are You Eligible?
There are certain program requirements which make an individual eligible for the assistance:
For the breakfast and lunch benefit program, an individual must be a resident of the state of Alaska. Moreover, an individual must have an annual household income (exclusive of taxes) less than or equal to the following amounts:
| Household Size* | Maximum Income Level (Per Year) |
| 1 | 28860 |
| 2 | 39091 |
| 3 | 49321 |
| 4 | 59552 |
| 5 | 69782 |
| 6 | 80013 |
| 7 | 90243 |
| 8 | 100474 |
For households with more than 8 people. And an additional amount of 10,231 will be added per person. An individual must take accurate guidelines for the appropriate managing agency.
If an individual is earning below the current guidelines of income eligibility, they should be encouraged to contact their school to get access to meal application. The school or local education center will process the application and will issue an eligibility determination letter.
If an individual is receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, their child will automatically qualify for free school meals. This is because if a person is eligible for unemployment compensation, he or she might be eligible for reduced or free price school meals.
How To Apply?
The schools in Alaska send the school meal applications home at the starting of each school year. Individuals can apply for the school meals at any time throughout the year after they’ve submitted a household application directly to the school. Then, an individual can contact the state’s agency to participate to qualify for the Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program.
For Further Information
For further details, visit the Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program website.
You may also call the representative at Alaska Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) to get further details regarding the program at- (907) 465-2800.