Benefits.gov - Massachusetts Special Milk Program

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Massachusetts Special Milk Program

Managing Agency Massachusetts http://www.mass.gov

Program Description

The Special Milk Program (SMP) provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve.

Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also participate in the SMP to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs.

The Special Milk Program began in 1955 and is administered at the Federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Food and Nutrition Service, formerly the Food and Consumer Service.

General Program Requirements

Any child in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program can get milk. Schools may elect to offer free milk to low-income children. In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Massachusetts, your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $20,036 if one person lives in the household; $26,955 if two people live in the household; $33,874 if three people live in the household; $40,793 if four people live in the household; $47,712 if five people live in the household; $54,631 if six people live in the household; $61,550 if seven people live in the household; and $68,469 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $6,919 for each additional person in the home.

Your Next Steps

The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process

To apply for the Special Milk program, directly contact your child's school, camp, or child care institution to find out if it participates in the Special Milk Program.

The Federal agency Child Nutrition Programs manages this program and provides state contact information here:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm

Additionally, your state education agency can also provide you with more information about the program:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/milk.html

Program Contact Information

For more information visit: http://www.doe.mass.edu/

Or you may call 781-338-6480.