HIF Program - Parent Resources
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Important Dates and Deadlines for 2026-2027
The submission deadline for completed HIFs is October 31, 2026.
- Submit your HIF by October 31, 2026 to help generate funding for your school!
- Forms can still be submitted at any time during the year and may help determine eligibility for reduced fees or discounts for services such as internet, utilities, childcare, rent, college application fees, and other programs.
What is the Household Income Form (HIF)?
The Household Income Form (HIF) is part of LAUSD's annual campaign to collect crucial information from students' families. Its primary purpose is to identify students who may be eligible for various state and federal programs. This identification directly influences your school's Title I ranking and Targeted Student Population (TSP) funding, which are vital for supporting school programs and increasing local school funding.
Confidentiality of Your Information
LA Unified is deeply committed to keeping student records and family information confidential. The information collected on the HIF is handled with the utmost care and is protected by federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Internal Use Only: The information collected on the HIF is used only within the District to determine a student's eligibility for different state and federal programs.
- No Sharing with Outside Agencies: Your individual student information is not shared with outside agencies, and no names are disclosed to third parties.
- Protected Information: HIF information is never shared with the IRS, US Immigration Services, Social Services agencies, Child Welfare agencies, insurance companies, employers, or lawyers.
- No Sensitive Personal Data: The HIF does not require a Social Security number, parent email, or telephone number. It also does not ask for information related to work status or workplace.
- No Verification Required: You are not asked to provide any verification for the information you provide on a HIF.
- Not Tied to Other Benefits: Completing the HIF is not connected to receiving any other public or private benefits.
We understand concerns about confidentiality, and we want to assure you that your privacy is a top priority.
Benefits for Families and Students
While all students in LAUSD already receive free meals at school regardless of family income or whether an HIF is submitted, submitting a completed HIF provides numerous benefits:
- Increased School Funding: The more completed HIFs submitted, the more funding your school is eligible to receive. This additional money helps provide essential resources and support services for all students at your school, such as after-school care and classroom aides.
- Direct Benefits for Eligible Households: For families who meet the eligibility criteria, completing the HIF can also lead to direct benefits like college application fee waivers, testing fee waivers, and eligibility for programs such as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) or similar benefits.
How to Complete and Submit Your HIF
We encourage all eligible families to submit an HIF. For the 2026-2027 school year, this includes students new to LAUSD (TK-12), continuing students who have not submitted an HIF in the past two school years, and students who have left and returned to LAUSD. Even if your financial situation has changed, or if you simply wish to update your information, all families are welcome to submit another HIF at any time.
There are two convenient ways to submit your Household Income Form:
Online Submission (Recommended)
Access the Online Form: Visit https://hif.lausd.net.
- The online form allows you to submit information for up to six children within your household at once.
- No Signature Required: Unlike the paper form, the online HIF does not require a parent signature.
- Confirmation Number: Be sure to record the online HIF Confirmation # and date submitted.
Paper Form Submission:
- Form Availability: Your school will include the new orange HIFs in enrollment packets for new students.
- Original Forms Only: Only original orange HIFs can be processed; photocopies are not permitted and will be returned to the school.
- Ink Color: Please use blue or black ink.
- Completeness and Signature: Ensure all sections of the HIF are completed accurately, including the student's full name, birthdate, and household size. The form must be signed and dated by a parent or guardian.
- Income Reporting: In the "Monthly Income" section, you must either enter a monthly dollar amount or check the "Decline to Complete" box. If you provide an annual income amount, please write "ANNUAL" next to it in large letters.
- Submission to School: Submit the completed paper form to your school's Main Office.
Students Exempt from Submitting an HIF
Some students are automatically identified as eligible and do not need to complete an HIF. These include:
Some students are automatically identified as eligible and do not need to complete an HIF. These include:
- Direct Certified Students: Students who receive social services support (like CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal) or are identified as foster youth.
- Eligible-by-Program Students: Students identified as homeless with a Student Residency Questionnaire or as documented migrant students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Parent Resources
No. All students in LAUSD schools (TK-12) receive free meals at school regardless of family income or whether a Household Income Form is submitted.
No, submitting an HIF cannot qualify students for SUN Bucks. Eligibility for SUN Bucks is determined automatically if students are Direct Certified or Eligible-by-Program, or if they receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal. For more information on SUN Bucks, please visit https://www.lausd.org/sunbucks.
You may decline to complete a Household Income Form. If you choose this option, you should complete the Student Information section, check the "Decline to Complete" box, and sign and date the form. However, if you choose to “Decline to Complete,” your child’s school’s additional funding allocation could be negatively impacted. We encourage you to consider providing your income information to help maximize school funding.
You are welcome to submit a new HIF if your financial situation changes and you believe it could result in a more advantageous eligibility determination for your family.
For paper HIFs, parents/guardians must complete one HIF per student. For the online HIF, parents/guardians can submit one form and include the names/information of all children in the household.
Need Assistance?
If you have any questions or need further assistance with the Household Income Form, please contact your school's Main Office. You can also contact the Office of Data and Accountability at LAUSD directly at (213) 241-2460.