MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE 2004-2005 Policy for providing for free or reduced price meals

(direct certification & APPLICATIONS) July 19.2004 Rappahannock County Schools today announced its policy tor providing free or reduced price meals tor children served under the National School Lunch, and or Breanfast Programs. Each school ahd or central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party he household size and income criteria identified beiow will be used lo determine eligibility to' free or 'educed price meai benefgs Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are rrgible tor free or reduced price meals Children who are members of food stamp households or receive Virginia temporary Assistance For Needy Families TANFi formerly Aid to families with Dependent . midren - ArDC i are automatically eligible tor ‘ree meais coster children who are the iega. 'esponsibilitv a welfare agency or court also may oe eligible tor benefits regardless of the income of the household wth whom they reside Eligibility to' the foster child is based on the child s income Household Size Maximum Household Income For Free Meals Household Income For Reduced Price Meals S12.103 S 16.237 $20.371 $24,505 S28.639 S32.773 S36.907 $41,041 'S12.103.01-S17.224 $16.237.01-S23.107 $20,371 01-$28.990 S24.505.01-$34,873 S28.639 01-S40.756 532.773.01 -S46.639 $36.907 01 -$52.522 541.041.01 -$58,405 For Each Additional Family Member - ADD + $4,134 + $5,883 Application forms are being distributed to aii housebolos with a letter informing households of the availability of tree or reduced price meals tor their children Applications also are available at the principals office tr each school To apply for free or reduced price meals households must fill out the application and return if to the school Applications may be submitted at a^y time during the school year The information households provide on the application will be used for determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other orogram officials For school officials to determine eligibility tor free or reduced price benefits households'receiving food stamps or Virginia Temporary Assistant for Needy Families 'TANF. only have to list their child's name and food stamp or ANF case number and an adult household memoer must sign the application Households who do not list a food stamp or TANF case number must list the names of all household members the amount and source of the income received Dy each household member and the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application If the household member does not have a social security number the household member must indicate that a social security number is not available The application must be signed by an adult household member

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal policy, Brenda Payne, Director of Food Service will review applications and determine eligibility Application for free or reduced price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete documentation Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling ot the official may wish to discuss the (decision with the determining official on an informal basis Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in wr ting to Dr. Robert Chappell, Superintendent - Rappahannock County Schools - 540-987-8773 Households that list a food stamp or TANF case number on the application must report when the household no longer receives these benefits Other households approved for benefits based on income mtorma tion must report increases in household income over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size Also, it a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the households income falls at or below the levels shown above Households that receive food stamps or Virginia Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) do not have to complete an application tor free or reduced price student meals School officials will determine eligibility tor free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the VA Department of Social Services office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving food stamps or is receiving TANF School officials will notify households ot their eligibility The household must notify the school when they no longer receive food stamps or TANF. Households, who are notified of their eligibility, but who do not want their children to receive free meals, must contact the school Food stamp and TANF households should complete an application. if they are not notified of their eligibility within the first 10 days of the new school year. In accordance with Federal law and U S Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discnmmatmg or the basis of race, color, national origin, sex. age. or disability To file a complain! of discrimination, write USDA Director Office ot Civil nghts. Room 326-W. Whitten Building. 1400 Independence Avenue SW Washington DC 20250-5410 O' cat ■202) 720-5964 : Voice and TDD) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer