• LINQ CONNECT - As of May 23, 2023, Titan Parent Portal changed to LINQ Connect.  If you haven't already, go to https://linqconnect.com/ to check it out!  You will find FAQ's, helpful information, and videos throughout this webpage.
• DONATIONS - Nutrition Services has a new donations page!  There are several ways that you can donate to students who cannot pay for meals.  Help us make a difference!
• FEED IT FORWARD - You can now make donations to your child's school to help pay the cost of a student who can't pay for a meal.  See our new Donations page for further information.

We strongly encourage all parents/guardians to submit a Free and Reduced Meal Benefit Application.  Applications may be completed online and take less than 10 minutes.  You only need to complete one application for your household.  Here is what you will need:

• It is helpful to have each of your students' ID's before you start the application process, but not required. 
• How many people live in your household?
• Name of everyone who lives in your household
• Approximate income per person

You may complete and submit an online application for meal benefits by using one of the following methods:

1. Click the orange picture/link above
2. Scan the QR code above
3. Go to LINQ Connect https://linqconnect.com/ on your computer or phone (Any browser can be use but Internet Explorer).  You can apply by:
   1. Clicking "Log in" (see LINQ Connect section for why we recommend this method), then after you have logged in, click  "Start Meal Application". OR
   2. Click "Start Meal Application" in the upper right-hand corner.
4. Download the LINQ Connect app from your app store

Important: Make sure you enter “Wichita Public Schools” for your district.

Click on one of the links below for further instructions/videos:

• LINQConnect Help Page
• How to Create a LINQConnect Account
• How to Link Students to your LINQConnect Account (staff cannot be linked) 
• How to Use LINQConnect Meal Accounts
  • Add Money
  • Donate to Needy Students at Your Child's School
  • Transfer Balances
  • Set Payment Reminders
  • Spending Limits
  • Set Up Auto Pay
• How to Apply Online for Free and Reduced Meal Benefits
• How to Figure Income for the Online Free and Reduced Meal Benefits Application
• Free and Reduced Meal Benefits Paper Application Instructions
• How to Fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Benefits Paper Application Video

CONTACT US

• Email us at:  KidsEat@usd259.net 
• Call us at:  316.973.2160

• If you submitted an Online Free and Reduced Meal Benefits Application through your registered LINQ Connect account, then you will be able to:
  • See proof of your submission and where it is in the approval process
  • View your status letter, once your application is processed.
• If you supplied your email address on your application:
  • Directly after submitting your application, you will receive an email from LINQ/Titan with a confirmation code, stating that you will need to send money with your children to purchase meals and the application could take 10 days for determination.
  • Once your application is processed, you will receive an email from LINQ/Titan with a status letter for your students.

Click on the link to the right: What Can Be Used to Reduce School Fees?

Parent letters are sent every year, after July 1. They contain frequently asked questions such as how to apply for free/reduced meal benefits and how to qualify for reduced-priced text book fees. Click the Annual Parent Letter link on the right to view this year's letter. 

Eligibility letters (meal status) are sent when student eligibility changes. If you need to request another eligibility letter, click the Request Eligibility Letter Reprint link on the right.  Please note, that letter requests can take up to 2 weeks, depending on the time of year your request is received.

• Why do I need a student ID number when I apply online? Can I just enter their name and DOB? You can enter just the student’s name and date of birth. But, if you enter the student ID as well as the EXACT student name and date of birth (as shown in ParentVue or on your linked student) it will potentially allow for instant status processing.
• Can I use my cell phone to fill out an Online Meal Benefit Application? Absolutely! You can use your cell phone to apply in one of two ways.

1. 1. Download the LINQ Connect App on your phone.
   2. Go to https://linqconnect.com/. LINQ Connect is mobile responsive, which makes using your phone or tablet easy!  Make sure you are not using Internet Explorer as a browser.

• How do I get instant status processing for my students? You can receive instant status for your student(s) if all of the following apply:
  • You have created a LINQ Connect account.
  • You have submitted your Free and Reduced Meal Benefits Application online through your LINQ Connect account.
  • You entered your student’s information EXACTLY as it appears on your linked student in the LINQ Connect. This includes your student’s ID, First Name, Last Name and Date of Birth.
  • There is no reason for the application to be held for review (such as an issue).
• What happens if I don't receive instant status? What should I do? Make sure you print or screenshot the online application confirmation page after submitting your online household application so it can be shown to the bookkeeper. See the How Do I Get Reduced-Priced Fees Section for further details.

• Can I go back if I make a mistake on my online application? Once you submit the application, you can no longer make changes. You can go back and add/correct information to the application any time before you submit the application.
• What if I submit an online application and I don't realize I made a mistake until later? Please contact the Nutrition Services Department to request a change to your application.  You may be directed to submit another application or a correction might be made, depending on the issue.  Submission of a new application doesn't necessarily fix the issue.  
• What if I have a case number? When you enter the application and indicate a case number, your application will be processed normally.  Your case number will be reviewed for validity and if it is found not valid, you will be notified. If you have a case number from another state, please type the name of the state directly after the case number.
• What will happen if I keep applying until I get the status I want? If you apply a specific number of times in a row, your household will be flagged and will be required to verify your application information.
• How does Nutrition Services determine which application is correct if I submit more than one? The last application with the greatest status is used.  If you have a change in household income or size, you may reapply for greater meal benefits status.  

GENERAL INFORMATION

• What is LINQ Connect?  LINQ Connect is a system used by parents to apply for free and reduced meal benefits, make online meal payments, and to monitor and regulate their students' spending.
• How do I get LINQ Connect?  Easy!  You can go to LINQconnect.com on your computer or phone (make sure you are not using Internet Explorer as your browser) or you can download the LINQ Connect app from your app store.
• Can I access my account through any browser? You can access your account through any browser except Internet Explorer, which is no longer supported.
• Can I access my account through a mobile app? Yes, you will need to download the new LINQ Connect in the Apple Store available soon or Google Play Store available now.
• What can I do on LINQ Connect?
  • Apply for free/reduced meal benefits
  • Pay for meals
  • Track student purchases
  • Check balances
  • Receive low balance alerts
  • Set spending limits/no buy items
  • Donate to students in need at your child's school
  • Transfer money between your linked students
• Are there instructions for LINQ Connect?  Yes!  Go to the Need Help? section of this page to find more information.
• What information do I need to create a LINQ Connect account?   All you need is a valid email address (you will be required to authenticate your email by clicking a link sent via email after signing up for an account)
• What information do I need to link my students to my LINQ Connect account?  Your student's Student ID and Student Name (exactly as it is in ParentVue).  If you need additional help, please contact your child’s school or Nutrition Services at 973-2160 or KidsEat@usd259.net.
• Are the LINQ Connect App, and/or website available in other languages?  Yes.  In LINQ Connect, on the landing page, there is an option to choose other languages.  The district will offer both English and Spanish to start.
• Is there more than one account I will need to setup for LINQ Connect App and/or website?   No, the parent account is the same throughout.
• Should I wait until enrollment to create a LINQ Connect Account if I don't have one currently?  NO!  It will save you time and hassle at enrollment.
• Is LINQ Connect secure?  Absolutely!  It is protected by 256 bit SSL encryption between all browsers and their centralized data center.
• I just registered and when I try to log in it says, "Invalid email or password"?  Your account will not be active until you have verified your email address and password. Check your email for the verification link. 
• What if I forget my Username or Password?  On the login page, click  Forgot your password?  Enter your email address and click Reset Password. A temporary password will be emailed to you. Upon logging in with the temporary password, you will be prompted to set your new password. 
• When I log in, I do not see my student's account?  You will need to add your student to your LINQ Connect account. Click on + then Type and complete the information to link your student. You will need to complete this process for each student you wish to add. 
• What if I have several student's in different districts? You can add as many students as you need, as long as they attend a school district utilizing LINQ Connect for their meal payment account.
• How can I remove a student from my LINQ Connect account? Open the student card and click on the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner, where you can select Remove. 
• How can I update my email address and password? In the upper right-hand corner, click on the Profile icon, then select your account name. To change your email address, select the Update Email button. To update your password, click on Update Password.
• My spouse and I are no longer together. Can we both have access to LINQ Connect to view our student’s accounts, but with separate accounts and logins? Yes. Simply set up a new account with your email address. When you link your student to your account, you can then view account balances and deposit funds separately. Your financial information will only be visible to you. However, available student balances will be visible to any guardian or family member who has access to your student through LINQ Connect.

FREE AND REDUCED MEAL BENEFIT APPLICATION

• Do I have to create a LINQ Connect account to apply online for meal benefits? No. We do encourage you to create an account as there are MANY benefits, including the ability to see your student's status on your phone and use it for consideration of reduced school fees.
• Do I have to create a LINQ Connect account to receive a status notification? No. If you don’t have an account, you will receive your notification via email if an email address is provided, otherwise by snail mail.
• Do I need a LINQ Connect account if I'm directly certified? Once your direct certification is processed by Nutrition Services, you have the ability to see status changes as they occur on your linked students, as well as all the great things listed above that you can do on LINQ Connect.
• How will I find out the status of my free/reduced meal application? The district will notify you within 10 school days, either by email or letter. If you have not received a notice, please contact the school district’s child nutrition department directly. If you have an account, you can access your eligibility letter once your district has processed the application within the Notification bell in the upper right corner of the dashboard.

MEAL PAYMENTS

• Will I have to pay a fee when I pay for meals with a LINQ Connect account?  Currently, parents are not charged a fee for using LINQ Connect.
• I made an online meal payment. How long will it take before the funds will be available in my child’s account? If you selected Add Money to Account, the funds will be available immediately in your student’s account upon completing the payment transaction. If you selected Add Auto Pay, the funds will be available the following day from the day it is scheduled to run. For example, if the payment is to be made every Monday, the funds will be available on Tuesday morning.
• How do I add money/make a payment to my child’s account? Once you have added your child to your LINQ Connect account, you can add money by clicking the Add Money to Account button on the dashboard or by clicking the Meal Accounts button on the student card. You can choose to either Add to Balance or set up a New Recurring Payment with Auto Pay. If you select Add to Balance, the funds will be immediately available on your student’s account upon completion of the transaction. If you select New Recurring Payment with Auto Pay, you will be setting up a future automatic payment for the specified amount, frequency, day, and starting date that you choose.
• Can I set up automatic meal payments? Yes. Click on Auto Pay. Enter the Payment Amount for each student, Frequency, Day, Starting Date, Billing Address, Payment Method, and click Save.
• How can I cancel or change my automatic meal payments? Go to the Meal Accounts page and click on the trash can icon on the Auto Pay card.
• Can I transfer my funds from one student’s account to another? You can transfer funds between accounts. Navigate to the Transfer Balances card on the Meal Accounts page. Funds can only be transferred between students within the same school district.
• Can I set spending limits on my student’s account? Yes.  Navigate to the Spending Limits card on the Meal Accounts page and locate your child’s name. Click on the pencil icon to the right to set a spending limit.
• How do I see my Transaction History? Transaction History includes all school meal purchases. You can see this detailed history and obtain an email copy of transactions by clicking Transaction > History.
• What credit cards/methods of payment can I use? Go to the Payment Methods card on your profile and select New Payment Method to identify which methods you can use.
• When entering my Payment Method, it asks for a “Description”— what do I put? This is a freeform field, and you can name it anything. For example, you can name it “Household Credit Card” or “Chase Credit Card.”
• I am trying to enter my credit card information and it keeps saying “Invalid Card”—what am I doing wrong? The system will not allow you to continue if any required items are missing. Check to see that you have entered the following: 1. Check to see that the credit card information is correct. 2. Make sure the type of card you are entering is accepted. For example, American Express or Discover may not be accepted.
• I am trying to make a payment but the “Confirm and Pay” button is gray, and I can’t continue? The system will not allow you to continue if any required items are missing. Check to see that you have entered the following correctly: 1. Billing address 2. Credit card information
• Can I receive a notification when my student’s account balance is low? Yes. The system is defaulted to send an email reminder when the balance falls below $5.00. You can change the Payment Reminder by editing the dollar amount on the Payment Reminder card on the Meal Accounts page.
• Is there a minimum payment for student accounts? Yes. The minimum payment is $10 per transaction.  
• What happens to the money in my student’s account at the end of the school year? Your account balance moves with your student from grade to grade and school to school (within the district).
• Why is there a “pending” charge on my bank statement after my card was declined? It is common practice in the banking industry to hold the transaction fee on online payments. The fee may temporarily appear on your bank statement, but the fee will automatically be removed in approximately 1-8 banking days. If you have any questions about this fee, please contact your credit card company directly.
• How can I deposit funds to the Feed it Forward program? On the Meal Accounts page, scroll to the Feed it Forward section and select an available district and will help support your district in funding meals for those who cannot. Please note this is separate from your student(s) having an account balance.

For information on foster children, please click the Foster, Homeless, Migrant, Runaway, Institutionalized Child link on the right.

Click the Income Eligibility Guidelines link on the right to view this year's income eligibility guidelines.

Verification of free and reduced-price meal applications is an annual federal requirement for all local education agencies (LEAs) that collect eligibility applications to determine free and reduced-price meal benefits for students.

SELECTION
How do I know if I've been selected?  If you received a letter with the title "Confirm Your Eligibility for Free/Reduced Price Meals", you have been selected for verification.  If you are unsure, please contact our office (see contact us)

ACTION REQUIRED

If you are selected, you will need to send the requested information to Nutrition Services.  The documents will verify you are eligible for free/reduced-priced meals.  

 WHAT TO SUBMIT

• • FA, TAF, FDPIR - If you or someone in your household are receiving benefits from Food Assistance (FA), Temporary Assistance for Families (TAF) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR benefits) at the time of application, or any time since, please send us your FA, TAF, or FDPIR Certification Notice that shows dates of certification OR you can send a letter from the FA, TAF, or FDPIR office that shows dates of certification. Do not send your EBT card. If you send us one of the above documents, you are DONE. You do NOT need to send anything else.
  • Homeless/Migrant: Contact Cynthia Martinez (homeless liaison) at 316.973.4670 or Shannon Benoit (migrant liaison) at 316.866.8043 for help.
  • Foster Child: Send documentation that verifies your child is the legal responsibility of the agency or court OR provide the name and contact information for a person at the agency or court who can verify your child’s foster status.
  • None of the Above: Return the verification selection letter along with documentation of your household’s sources of income for either the month before application, or any month since. Document(s) must show:
    • • Name of person who received the income
      • Date received
      • Amount received
      • How often it was received

SOURCES OF INCOME:

• • Jobs: Paycheck stubs that show the amount and how often pay is received (2 consecutive pay stubs required if frequency is not indicated); letter from employer stating gross wages and how often you are paid; or, if you work for yourself, business or farming papers, such as a ledger or tax books.   
  • Social Security, Pensions, or Retirement: Social Security retirement benefit letter, statement of benefits received, or pension award notice. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount
  • Unemployment, Disability, or Worker’s Compensation: Notice of eligibility from State employment security office, check stub, or letter from the Worker’s Compensation office.  GetKansasBenefits.gov
  • Welfare Payments: Benefit letter from the DCF office.
  • Child Support or Alimony: Court decree, agreement, or copies of checks received. http://www.kspaycenter.com/
  • All Other Income (Such as Rental Income): Information that shows the amount of the income, name of the person who receives the income, the date it was received, and how often it was received.
  • Military Housing Privatization Initiative: Letter or rental contract showing that your housing is part of the Military Privatized Housing Initiative.
  • If you do not have income, please send a brief note explaining how you provide food, clothing, and housing for your household, and when you expect an income.
  • If you work on a seasonal basis, call us and we will help you figure out what to send.

HOW TO SUBMIT

• • Take pictures of the requested documents with your phone/camera and email them to KidsEat@usd259.net. 
  • Mail documents to Nutrition Services, 3850 N. Hydraulic, Wichita, KS 67219.  If possible, send copies. Or fax to 316-973-2162.
  • Come in person to the Nutrition Services office located at 3850 N. Hydraulic, Wichita, KS 67219 to drop off the documents
  • You may also return these documents to your child/children’s school. 
    • For elementary, K-8, and special schools, return to the Satellite Cashier in the school office.
    • For middle school and high school, return to the Cafeteria Manager in the school cafeteria.

NON-COMPLIANCE
What if I don't send in my information or ignore the notice?  Your student(s) will stop receiving free or reduced-price meals as well have their reduction of school fees re-evaluated.

QUESTIONS

For questions or help, please contact Nutrition Services (see contact us section)

For the Board Policy regarding the Collection of Food Services Monies Click Here

1. Why are there 2 payment systems (for meals and fees)? The district has made the decision to maintain 2 payment systems. LINQ Connect is used by the district for Meal Payments and another system is used by the district for school and latchkey fee payments.
2. Are there instructions for meal payments? Yes! Please refer to the Need Help? section
3. Can I make payments on my phone? Absolutely! You can use your cell phone to pay by either downloading the LINQ Connect App to your phone or by visiting LINQ Connect at https://linqconnect.com/  (make sure you are using Google Chrome as your browser). LINQ Connect is mobile responsive, which makes using your phone or tablet easy!
4. Who do I contact if I have questions about meal accounts or fee payments? If you have questions regarding meal payments and student accounts, contact Nutrition Services (our contact information is at the bottom right of this page). If you have questions regarding school, latchkey, or activity fees, please contact your child's school.
5. Will I have to pay a fee when I pay for meals with a LINQ Connect account?  Currently, parents are not charged a fee for using LINQ Connect.
6. How quickly after I make a payment will it be available for my student to use?  Immediately!

To request an account, click the Request Meal Account for Non-Staff Adult link on the right. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

• We love it when parents, grandparents, or other family members choose to eat with a student during their lunch or breakfast!  For meal prices, please refer to the Adult/Visitor prices in the Meal Prices section.
• If eating at school is something you plan to do often, please click on the link above to request an Adult (Non-Staff) Meal Account. We strongly encourage that all non-staff adults set-up a meal account.
• All adult meal accounts must be positively funded.  Adults cannot charge.

HOW TO FUND AN ACCOUNT

• If you plan on eating at an elementary, K-8, or special school, please check in and make a payment at the school office before going to the cafeteria. You will need to bring exact change for your meal until you have a meal account, unless you want to donate the rest to a student in need.
• If you plan on eating at a middle school or high school, you will need to check in at the school office when you first arrive, but the payments should be taken to the Cafeteria Manager in the school cafeteria.

IMPORTANT

• Once you complete the registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing your ID number within 3-5 business days. 
• By filling out the form and requesting an account, you agree to allow your funds to be donated to a student in need if you do not utilize your account during the school year. The donation will occur in June following the school year with inactivity. Once this has occurred, it is not reversible.

To make a student meal payment, click the Make a Payment on a Student Account link on the right.

GENERAL INFORMATION

To request a refund, click the Refund Request link on the right.

MEAL ACCOUNT REFUND REQUEST REQUIRED FOR

• All refunds over $20
• If the student or staff member is inactive
• There is not enough cash on hand at the school to perform the refund
• The request is for a non-staff adult meal account.

REFUND RESTRICTIONS

• All Student Meal Account and Staff Adult Meal Account refund requests must be made before the end of the school year within 1 year of the student withdrawal date or staff termination/ retirement date or remaining funds will be donated to benefit a district student in need.
• All Non-Staff Adult Meal Account refund requests must be made before the end of the school year within 1 year of the last transaction or remaining funds will be donated to benefit a district student in need.
• For Student Meal Account Refunds, checks will only be issued to individuals listed as parent/guardian in the district's Student Information System.

REFUND TIMELINES

• Please allow 30 days for the request to be processed.
• Requests submitted after May 25th and before August 1st will be processed in August.

When you fill out a Meal Account Refund Request, you request a refund, or elect to transfer or donate your remaining balance.

To update spending limits, click the Make a Payment on a Student Account link on the right to access LINQ Connect.

• Spending limits can be set by parents on LINQ Connect. 
• To set spending limits, the student must be linked to the parent's account (See the Need Help? section)
• Spending limits only apply to ala carte items (such as an extra milk, 2nd entree, or snack items). 
• Parents can set up spending limits for a day or by meal session (breakfast or lunch).  Parents can elect to set the limit by quantity, by amount, or by both.  Below are a few examples of how to set spending limits.
  • Spending limit set to 1 item AND $2 for lunch
  • Spending limit set to $2 daily
  • Spending limit set to 2 items for lunch