Program Overview
The Special Milk Program for Florida is a federal-level program funded by the central government. The program assists low-income households in paying for their children’s milk expenses at school in various public and private institutions. The program helps these children get the maximum amount of Vitamin A and D in their fluid intake, which supports the development of strong teeth and bones.
The program is administered by the Florida Department of Education and must meet the federal government’s requirements. However, different school food authorities have various conditions regarding the type of food to serve and how to serve it.
Program Benefits
The primary objective of the program is to make a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet accessible to children from low-income households. The program aims to establish good eating habits in children. Children currently enrolled in schools can receive program benefits. Students in split kindergarten or pre-primary classes can also apply for the program if their school is listed with the SMP program in Florida. The meals are provided either free or at a very low cost.
Eligibility Requirements
Children who qualify for the Special Milk Program in Florida will receive milk for free or at a reduced price in their schools. The requirements to apply are as follows:
- Families with dependent children and an income level below 130% of the federal poverty line (FPL) can apply for the program.
- Households with income levels between 130% and 185% of the FPL with dependent children can receive food at lower prices in their schools. (Prices may reduce by up to 40 cents, but no more.)
- Children from families with incomes exceeding 185% of the FPL must pay full prices but may also receive some funding. Each school’s food administration office decides its prices for fully paid meals.
These requirements are specified by the federal government and may vary from state to state. It is essential to check with local agencies for accurate and up-to-date information.
There are additional eligibility conditions for the Special Milk Program in Florida, including:
- The candidate must be a permanent U.S. citizen.
- The candidate must be a parent, caretaker, or primary guardian with children attending high school or below.
- The candidate’s household income must meet the eligibility criteria determined by the program.
The candidate’s citizenship and immigration status are not primary requirements to apply for the Special Milk Program in Florida. However, in both cases, the same procedure must be followed to obtain program benefits.
It is advisable to apply for the program before the deadline to ensure your child receives the program benefits. These benefits are effective throughout the school academic year.
The number of members in a household and the total household income are also important factors when considering a candidate for the Florida Special Milk Program. The maximum gross income level before taxes must equate to:
| Household Size | Maximum Annual Income Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | 27,861 |
| 2 | 37,814 |
| 3 | 47,767 |
| 4 | 57,720 |
| 5 | 67,673 |
| 6 | 77,626 |
| 7 | 87,579 |
| 8 | 97,532 |
In case, the houselhold size is greater than 8 members an additional amount of $9,953 is considered per member. The amount of annual income level might change time to time. Therefore, it is a good idea to contact managing agency in your area They will provide you with most recent upto date guidelines about the Florida Special Milk Program.
Individuals who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically selected for the Special Milk Program in the state of Florida. An individual receiving benefits from the following programs is not eligible to apply for the SMP. Those programs are,
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- Child and Adult Care
- Food Program (CACFP)
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
How To Apply
To get your child registered for the Special Milk Program at school, you will have to get intouch with your child school office. The school administration that deals with this program will guide you through the whole application process. You can go to the official website of the Florida Special Milk Program to learn more about the program details. You can visit the School Meals Contacts to find the list of schools enrolled with the Special Milk Program in your state.
In case you have other queries please call the Food and Nutrition Management at 1-800-504-6609
For Further Information
You can also visit the Florida Department of Education website. The website provides you with up-to-date information regarding the program to make the application process less daunting. You can use the same procedure if you want to reduce the prices of milk at your child school.
The Florida Department of Education makes sure that all the applications are accessed properly for the Special Milk Program in the state of Florida. The agency makes sure to determine the eligibility of the candidates within ten days of submitting the application form. The qualified families are approached about their qualifications once they are selected. This makes sure the families don not have to pay any meal charges which might cause a burden to them. Visit Benefits by State for more insights.
