School lunch program policy

School lunch program policy The Rappahannock County school system has announced its policy for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under t he National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Each school and the School Administration Office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility: Household Size ,1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 For each additional household member, add Maximum Household Income For Free Meals $ 6,968 9,412 11,856 14,300 16,744 19,188 21,632 24,076 Household Income For Reduced Price Meets $ 6,969 - 9,916 9,413 - 13,394 11,857 - 16,872 14,301 - 20,350 16,745 - 23,828 19,189 - 27,306 21,633 - 30,784 24,077 - 34,262 3,478 2,444 Children from families whose income is at or below the household levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available in the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. For the school officials to determine eligibility, the household must provide the following information listed on the application: names of all household members; social security numbers of all adult household members or a statement that the person does not possess one; total household income or the household’s food stamp case number if it currently receives food stamps; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. Households are required to report increases in income of more than $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size. Applications may be submitted at any 1 ime during the year. Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the school principal will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he may wish to discuss the decision with the det ermining' official on an informal basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he may request one either orally or in writing to Robert S. Estabrook, Rappahannock County School Board Office, P. O. Box 273, Sperry ville, Va. 22740, (987-8773), for a hearing to appeal the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedures. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the children living in the house eligible for reduced-price meals, or for additional benefits such as free meals if the family income falls below the levels shown in the accompanying chart. In certain cases foster children rtre also eligible for these benefits. If a household has foster care children living with them and wishes to apply for meal benefits for them, the household must complete an application. The information provided by t he-household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data. In the operation of child feeding programs administered by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, no child wall be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, national origin, age or handicap. If any member of a household believes they have been discriminated against, they should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, I). C., 20250.