Nutrition Services

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
2025-2026

Maximum Total Household Income
This is gross earnings before deductions, not take-home pay. Do not include foster care payments, federal education benefits, MFIP payments, or value of assistance received from SNAP, WIC, or FDPIR as income. For military persons, do not include combat pay or assistance from the Military Privatized Housing Initiative. Income guidelines are effective from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Income Conversions:
Weekly Income x 52 = Yearly Income
Twice Per Month x 24 = Yearly Income (Bi-Monthly)
Every Two Weeks x 26 = Yearly Income (Every Other Week, Bi-Weekly)

I receive WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children qualify? Children in households participating in WIC or Medical Assistance do not automatically qualify. Children may be eligible depending on other household financial information. Please fill out an application. 

Who should I include as household members? Include yourself and all other people living in the household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends).

May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens for you to complete an application.

What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get overtime only sometimes. For seasonal work, write in the total annual income.

Will the income information or case number I give be checked? It may be. We may also ask you to send written proof.

How will the information be kept? Information you provide on the form, and your child’s approval, will be protected as private data. For more information, see the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits.

If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. Please complete an application at any time if your income goes down, your household size goes up, or you start getting SNAP, MFIP or FDPIR benefits.

• A la carte items are available for purchase at Lower School for grades 3 and up and at Upper School for all grades.
• Second meals are available for purchase at both Lower and Upper School.
• A la carte items and second meals must be prepaid through LILAPay.  Funds are held in a meal account associated with the student's ID number. See the note about payment transaction fees below. 
• Students use their Student ID to purchase ala carte items or a second meal through their meal account.  
• The a la carte and second meal account must maintain a positive balance at all times. A student without sufficient funds in their account will not be permitted to make purchases. 

A NOTE ABOUT LILAPAY TRANSACTION FEES: 
In today's world, most online payment systems charge a transaction fee. Typically, this fee is wrapped into the payment so the payor is unaware there is an added fee. LILA has chosen to be transparent about these fees, so you will see them added when a payment is made to your account. With so many students and staff using the lunch payment system, we hope to streamline the responsibilities of our small finance office though utilization of the online payment system rather than manually processing payments. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. 

LILA participates in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) with breakfast and lunch available at all three sites. All meals served are required to comply with federal and state statutes, and USDA regulations.  If you have additional questions or concerns regarding your student's dietary needs, please contact Nutrition Services by email at nutritionservices@MyLILA.org or by phone at 651-252-6724. 

MILK SUBSTITUTES:

• NSLP rules do not allow schools to substitute milk with another beverage that is not nutritionally equivalent to cow's milk. For students that are lactose intolerant, lactose reduced milk is available upon receiving a written request from a parent/guardian. To submit a request, complete the form below. 
• LACTOSE REDUCED MILK REQUEST FORM 

DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS RELATED TO MEDICAL NEED OR DISABILITY:

• Menu substitutions for students with special dietary needs, other than lactose reduced milk, must have a Special Diet Statement form completed and signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a certified nurse practitioner.  Email the form to nutritionservices@MyLILA.org, or drop off the form to the school's health or nutrition services office. 
• SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS FORM  
• APPROVED FLUID MILK SUBSTITUTIONS

OTHER DIETARY PREFERENCES: 

• Use the form below to request a dietary accommodation that is not related to a medical need or disability.
• DIETARY PREFERENCE REQUEST FORM