Processing free/reduced meals applications in jmc Office streamlines the review, approval, and notification process for families applying for meal benefits through jmc Family. Quickly determine eligibility, update student lunch statuses, and generate a notification letter—all from one centralized location. Save time, reduce paperwork and ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines by processing online free and reduced meals applications in jmc!
To begin processing online applications for Free/Reduced meals, go to jmc Office and navigate to Lunch > Free/Reduced > Meals Application Status.
Step One: Click the "Select" link next to a contact name in the "Pending" box to open their application for review.
Fun Fact: The selected family's eligibility status, income cutoff information, and associated students appear in the "Eligible For" and "Student List" sections for quick reference.
Step Two: Click the "View Application" button to review the application before accepting or deleting it.
Helpful Tip: The Free/Reduced meal application details will appear at the bottom of the current page for quick reference.
Step Three: Click the "Print" button to print the selected application for your records.
Helpful Tip: Click the "Hide Application" button to collapse the application details and keep your workspace clean and organized.
Step Four: Enter a date in the "Status Effective Date" field, or click the calendar icon to choose when the new status will take effect.
Fun Fact: No need to update prior charges! All balances and transactions dated after the "Status Effective Date" will reflect the new free or reduced status.
Step Five: Enter a date in the "Determination Made Date" field, or click the calendar icon to indicate when the status was determined.
Helpful Tip: In Minnesota, update a student's Economic Indicator by navigating to Lunch > Data > Edit Student Lunch Data, selecting the correct status, and clicking Save to support accurate reporting.
Step Six: Click the "Accept Application" button to apply the determination result to the selected dependents in the "Student List."
Helpful Tip: Once an application is accepted, it will move from the “Pending" box to the “Processed” box where it can also be selected and viewed.
Step Seven: Place a checkmark in the "Breakfast" and/or "Lunch" checkboxes to include the corresponding prices of those meals for the selected contact on the notification letter.
Step Eight: Enter the appropriate information in the "Hearing Official", "Phone", "Address," and "City, State, Zip" fields to include contact information on the notification letter for families requesting a fair hearing regarding the eligibility decision.
Step Nine: Enter the appropriate information in the "Eligibility Official" and "Phone" fields to include the contact information on the notification letter of the individual making the initial eligibility determination.
Step Ten (optional): Place a checkmark in the "Adjust for Windowed Envelope" checkbox to include the mailing address on the printed letter when using windowed envelopes.
Step Eleven: Click the "View Notification Letter" button to download a PDF file of the eligibility notification letter for the currently displayed contact.
Fun Fact: Up-to-date, non-discrimination statements will be automatically displayed at the bottom of all notification letters to comply with the requirements for your state.
Helpful Tip: Click the "Delete Application" button to permanently remove an application from jmc Office and jmc Family if there is any reason the application would need to be re-submitted.