Lunch Program

Letter to Households Regarding Child Nutrition Programs

Dear Parent/Guardian:
Your child’s school offers nutritious meals every school day. These meals prepare children to learn and do their best at school. The meals/snacks available and the prices charged are as follows.

1. National School Lunch Program                           
Elementary Full Price=$2.05; Elementary Reduced Price=$.40
Middle School Full Price=$2.40; Middle School Reduced Price=$.40
High School Full Price=$2.40; High School Reduced Price=$.40

                      2011-12 APPLICATION FOR FREE & REDUCED MEAL PROGRAM

2. School Breakfast Program
Elementary Full Price=$1.30; Elementary Reduced Price=$.30
Middle School Full Price=$1.50; Middle School Reduced Price=$.30
High School Full Price=$1.50; High School Reduced Price=$.30

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? Use one application for all students in your household. Enter all required information and return the completed application to: Melissa Smith, 124 W Central, El Dorado KS 67042.

2. Who can get free meals? Students in households getting Food Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Families (TAF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, students in your household can get free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

3. Can foster children get free meals? Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals, regardless of income.

4. Can a homeless, runaway or migrant student get free meals? If you have not been informed that the student will get free meals, please contact the school’s Homeless Liaison or Migrant Coordinator: Sue Givens, 316-322-4800.

5. Who can get reduced price meals? Students in your household can get reduced price meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (see chart on the back of the application form).

6. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free meals? Please read the letter carefully and follow the instructions. If you have questions, contact the Determining Official: Melissa Smith, 124 W Central, El Dorado KS 67042

7. My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one? Unless the school told you that your child is approved for the new school year, you must send in a new application.

8. I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals? Students in households participating in WIC may be eligible for reduced price or free meals. Please fill out an application.

9. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.

10. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

11. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? Talk to the Determining Official. You may also request a hearing by contacting the Hearing Official: Norm Wilks, 316-322-4800.

12. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for reduced price or free meals.

13. Who should I include as members of my household? Include yourself, all children (including foster children) who live with you and all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends).

14. What if my gross income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. For example, if your normal gross income is $1,000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1,000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but only if you regularly work overtime.

15. We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income? If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

16. My spouse is deployed in a combat zone. Is his/her combat pay counted as income? Combat pay is not counted as income if it is received in addition to basic pay and it wasn’t received before deployment.

17. My family needs more help. Are there other programs for which we can apply? Contact the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services at 1-888-369-4777 or visit www.srs.ks.gov.

If you have other questions or need help, call: 316-322-4800
Si necesita ayuda, por favor llame al teléfono: 316-322-4800
Si vous voudriez d’aide, contactez nous au numero: 316-322-4800

For USDA’s translated materials, go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm.
For KSDE’s Spanish translations, go to http://www.kn-eat.org/SNP/SNP_Menus/SNP_Admin_Foreign_Language_Translations.htm.

Sincerely,
Melissa Smith, Food Service Coordinator

Your children may qualify for reduced price or free meals if your household income falls within the limits on this chart.

2011-12 Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines

 Household Annually      
Monthly       
Weekly        
1
 $20,147
 $1,679
 $388
2
 27,214
 2,268
 524
3
 34,281
 2,857
 660
4
 41,348
 3,446
 796
5
 48,415
 4,035
 932
6
 55,482
 4,624
 1,067
7
 62,549
 5,213
 1,203
8
 69,616
 5,802
 1,339




Each additional
person add: 		+7,067
+589
+136
Privacy Act Statement: This explains how we will use the information you give us.  The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for reduced price or free meals.  You must include the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application.  The Social Security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Food Assistance/Food Stamp Program, Temporary Assistance for Families (TAF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a Social Security number.  We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for reduced price or free meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.
Nondiscrimination Statement - This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
How to Apply for Reduced Price or Free School Meals
Download the application from the link at top of page and follow these instructions:

If your household gets Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR, follow these instructions:
Part A: Enter the following information:
• Each household member’s first and last name.
• Each student’s school and grade.
Part B: List the case number for any household member (including adults) receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR
benefits. A Medicaid number cannot be accepted.
Part C: Skip this part.
Part D: Sign and date the form. The last four digits of a Social Security number are not necessary.
If you are applying for a FOSTER CHILD, follow these instructions:
If all children in the household are foster children:
Part A: List all foster children and the school name and grade for each child. Check the box indicating the child is a
foster child.
Part B: Skip this part.
Part C: Skip this part.
Part D: Sign and date the form. The last four digits of a Social Security number are not necessary.
If some of the children in the household are foster children:
Part A: List all household members including foster child(ren).
• Check the box if the child is a foster child.
• Follow procedures below for All Other Households.
ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS, including WIC households, follow these instructions:
Part A: List all household members living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or
friends) and the name of each student’s school and grade. For any person, including children, with no income, you
must check the “Zero Income” box. Attach another sheet of paper if more space is needed.
Part B: If the household does not have a case number, skip this part.
Part C: Report the GROSS income for all household members from last month. Gross income is the amount
earned BEFORE taxes and any other deductions. This is NOT the same as take-home pay. The gross
amount should be listed on the pay stub.
• List the gross income each household member earned from work and circle the Frequency code that
shows how often the income is received.
• List the amount the person got last month from other income including welfare, child support, alimony,
retirement pensions, Social Security, Worker’s Compensation, unemployment, strike benefits,
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veteran’s benefits (VA benefits), disability benefits, regular
contributions from people who do not live in your household, and ANY OTHER INCOME. Circle the
Frequency code that shows how often the income is received.
• If the household has income from self-employment (such as from a self-owned business, farm or rental
income), report net income in the Earnings from Work columns. See the back side of the application form
for instructions on reporting self-employment income.
• If the household is in the Military Housing Privatization Initiative or gets combat pay, do NOT include
these allowances as income.
• Check the box if this person is temporarily not working due to strike, lay-off, injury or short-term disability.
Part D: An adult household member must sign and date the form and list the last four digits of their Social Security
number or check the box if s/he does not have one.
El Dorado Public Schools USD 490  |  124 West Central Ave.  |  El Dorado, KS 67042  |  Phone: 316-322-4800  |  FAX: 316-322-4801
Copyright © 2012 El Dorado Public Schools. All Rights Reserved.
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