Local Schools Announce Lunch Program Guidelines

August 20, 2004

Kiowa County School Districts RE-1 and RE-2 have announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free and reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs. Local school officials will use the family size and income criteria shown in the chart at the end of this article for determining eligibility.

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents. Additional copies are available at the principal= s office in each school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility and verifying data. Applications from families receiving food stamps need only to list the children= s names, respective food stamp case number and the signature of an adult household member.

All other households who would qualify based upon income must show the names of all household members, the amount of income each person received last month and source, and the signature of an adult household member and that adult= s social security number or the word A none@ if the adult does not have a social security number. The information on the application may be verified by the school or other program officials at any time during the school year.

In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for meals, they should contact the school.

Under the provision of the Policy, Kiowa County School District RE-1 and Kiowa County School District RE-2 will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the decisions, a request may be made to discuss it with the determining official. A formal appeal may be made either orally or in writing to Glenn Smith for RE-1 and Jay Specht for RE-2 for a hearing to appeal the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

If a child is approved for meal benefits, the school must be notified when the household income increases by more than $50 per month ($600 per year), when the household size decreases, or when no longer receiving food stamps. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now but have a decrease in income, become unemployed, have an increase in family size, or become eligible for food stamp benefits, you may fill out an application at that time.

Each school has a copy of the complete policy which may be reviewed by an interested party.

For each additional