3.11 Multipurpose Family Income Form for School Benefits

The Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF)

Submit the Multipurpose Family Income Form to apply for free or reduced-price school benefits. We encourage ALL families to submit the MFIF at the start of every school year. Submit the form before the first Wednesday in October to support your school’s funding.

  • Please visit www.sfusd.edu/MFIF for instructions on how to submit the form online at SchoolCafe.com (available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese). SchoolCafe.com is a secure and confidential website used by SFUSD Student Nutrition Services to provide families an online option to submit the Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF), formerly known as the Meal Application. The results of the form are kept confidential and are important to help allocate funding to your school.
  • Allow 5 business days for processing of the  online form. You will be notified via email ( at the email address you have on file with the SFUSD Enrollment Office) when your eligibility results are ready to access in your SchoolCafe account.
  • Even if you know you do NOT qualify for free or reduced-price school benefits, we ask that you submit this form to provide accurate data for District funding. Mark the “Not Interested” box and you will not be asked to enter income information.
  • The MFIF must be submitted by an adult, such as a parent/guardian/caregiver. The form must include:
    • The first and last name of each student in the household,
    • School name for all students enrolled in SFUSD,
    • Adult signature,
    • Income brackets that align with your household members’ income and/or public assistance program information.
  • If there is a change in your household size, income, or employment status, you may reapply at any time during the school year.

Did you receive a “Direct Certification Letter for School Eligibility Benefits”?

The “Direct Certification Letter for School Eligibility Benefits” is only applicable for one school year at a time. This certification is based on the student’s or the household’s participation in a public assistance program.

  • If you receive this notification, and the names of all SFUSD students in the household are listed on the notification letter, you do not need to submit the MFIF for this school year.
  • If you did not receive this notification for the current school year:
    • And your household receives CalFresh (Food Stamps), California Work Opportunity (CalWORKs), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), please submit a new MFIF form for this school year. Include your case number in order to automatically qualify for eligibility benefits.
    • And your household has children who meet the definition of homeless, migrant education program, or runaway, please submit a MFIF annually and indicate the appropriate group for each student in the space on the form.
  • If the Direct Certification letter is missing students in the household, please submit a MFIF listing all household members.

Why is the MFIF important to families?

School eligibility benefits give students and families access to District and city benefits too! Eligible families may receive:

  • Discounted utilities for your home like internet access or PG&E services
  • Fee waivers for ExCEL after school programs and SAT exams
  • Priority enrollment for some after school programs
  • And more! View the Family Benefits Guide

Why is the MFIF important to SFUSD?

The MFIF helps collect essential funding for teacher salaries and school supplies to support students’ learning. Federal, local, and private funding is based on the number of eligible forms we collect.  The MFIF also helps to ensure the school meal program is properly funded by both the State and Federal governments.  When a family completes the MFIF they help to ensure SFSD has proper funding for classrooms and meals!

Is the Multipurpose Family Income Form kept confidential?

Your information is secure. Student Nutrition Services will share your information only for the purposes of determining family benefits and classroom funding purposes. Our online platforms are secure.

School meals are available regardless of the student’s or their family’s citizenship status. Participation in the school meals program is not considered a “public charge.” A social security number is not required on the form. Contact the Student, Family & School Resource Link at sflink@sfusd.edu or (415) 340-1716 with questions.

What if I transfer schools, will I still qualify for school benefits?

Yes, student eligibility will follow the student through their enrollment in SFUSD per school year. Regardless of school change, please submit a new MFIF each school year.

What if I have funds left on my account from prior years?

A written request to donate funds to Student Nutrition Services, transfer funds to a sibling that is enrolled in SFUSD, or request a refund should be submitted to 841 Ellis St. SF CA, 94109 or by email to SchoolLunch@sfusd.edu. A refund request should include:

  • Student ID number (H0)
  • Student name
  • Home address

This page was last updated on August 6, 2024