Students qualify for medical help, free meals

Lorain students who need food and medical care are eligible to receive them with help from Lorain City Schools.

The school district on Aug. 28 published its 201819 program year policy for all students.

All youths are entitled to free breakfast and lunch with no need to fill out applications for the meals, according to the district.

Students qualify through the federal Community Eligibility Program.

Families with children also may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid or Ohio’s Healthy Start and Healthy Families programs, according to the district.

The programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental exams, vision exams, mental health, substance abuse and more.

For information, call 800-324-8680 or online.

Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card already is receiving these services.

The application is confidential and will be used to determine program eligibility.

Schools or other officials may check the information on the application at any time during the school year.

Anyone falsifying information could face prosecution, according to the district.

Households may apply for benefits at any time during the school year.

If a household is not eligible, but the household size increases or income decreases, families should contact the school to file a new application, according to the district.

Federal law prohibits discrimination in the programs based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.