Free and reduced lunch policy announced

Local school districts have announced their revised free and reduced price policy for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

To be eligible, families must meet the income guidelines the district has adopted. For free meals, the maximum annual income is $18,941 for a two-person household and $28,665 for a four-person household.

For reduced price meals, the maximum household income is $26,036 annually for a two-person household and $40,793 for a four-person household.

Families at or below this income range are eligible for free or reduced price meals. A complete chart of income ranges is available from the school district.

Applications are available from the principal’s office at each school and may be submitted any time during the school year.

Information provided on the applications is confidential and will be used only to determine eligibility.

A complete application includes household income from all sources or Food Stamp / Temporary Assistance case number, names of all household members and signature and social security number of adult household member signing the application. 

School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. A foster child is considered a family of one and only personal use income is counted to determine eligibility.

If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such change may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits.

Under provisions of the policy the Director of food and Nutrition Services will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official he may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis or he may make a request either orally or in writing to the superintendent of their local district.

Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the central office where any interested party may review it.