Completing an EBF may provide families with free student activity cards, discounts on home internet service, discounted or waived fees for academic testing, access to college and postsecondary resources and school and community enrichment opportunities.  

Important: All students will continue to receive meals at no cost through the 2024-25 school year regardless of their educational benefit eligibility. 

All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible for educational benefits. 

Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for educational benefits.  

Children participating in their school's Head Start program are eligible for educational benefits. 

Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for educational benefits. 

Children may receive educational benefits if their household's income is below the federal income limits. 

All households with students in Omaha Public Schools can fill out an Educational Benefits Form each school year. Completion of the form will ensure that your students have access to all benefits they may qualify for, beyond no-cost school meals. 

No. Complete one Educational Benefits Form (EBF) for all students in your household. You may complete it online or submit a paper copy to your youngest child’s school.  

Yes, we may ask you to send written proof of the information you share. 

After submitting the Educational Benefit Form, schools will determine eligibility and keep that information. If your student needs verification of eligibility, please contact their school for an educational benefits eligibility letter. 

Yes, your child’s form is good only for that school year and for the first few days of the next school year. 

Yes. The online form uses the same information as a printed copy. Visit School Cafe to learn more and begin the process. Contact Nutrition Services, 531-299-0230, if you have questions about the online form. 

Yes. You may apply for educational benefits at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or FDPIR (Food Distribution on Indian Reservations).  

Some types of income listed on the form may not apply to your family. If this happens, please write “0” in the box. If any boxes or spaces are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as a zero. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.  

List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally earn $1,000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you make $1,000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income. 

Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, or receive Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income. 

You must include yourself and all people living in your household, related or not (such as children, grandparents, other relatives or friends). List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper, and attach it to your application. Contact your school to receive a second application. 

Apply online for SNAP or other assistance benefits, or call 1-800-383-4278.  

If you have any additional questions or need help, please contact your student’s school.