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For immediate release
Aug. 8, 2018
Eligibility Requirements Announced for National School Lunch Program
The
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction today announced the 2018-19
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced-price
meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools. The federally assisted school nutrition
programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious,
appealing meals at school.
“Research
indicates access to healthful meals at school can enhance students’ overall
health, well-being and academic performance,” said State Superintendent Mark
Johnson. “Children who are hungry or
poorly nourished have difficulty learning and do not perform as well in the
classroom as students who are well-nourished. Healthful meals at school,
coupled with a safe, student-focused learning environment, are top priorities
in North Carolina because they help prepare students for success.”
The
federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 are
shown below:
The
household size and income criteria identified above will be used to determine student
eligibility for free and reduced price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at
or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Children who are members of households that
are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
or Cash Assistance (CA) are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the
determining official by direct certification. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a social services agency
or court are considered categorically eligible for free-meal benefits
regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. (Note:
The SNAP was formerly known as the “Food Stamp” Program. In North Carolina, the SNAP is called “Food
and Nutrition Services” or FNS. The CA program was formerly known as Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families or TANF.)
Applications for free and
reduced-price school meals are being made available to all households. Applications should be available in the
principal’s office at each school. To
apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete the
application and return it to the school or to the School Nutrition Office
within the school district, charter school, non-public school or other
institution participating in the National School Lunch Program. The information provided on the application
for free and reduced-price meal benefits will be used to determine student’s
eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Families receiving FNS or CA do not need to complete an application
because they are automatically certified by the determining official via direct
certification.
For school officials to
determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, an adult household
member must sign the application. Applications must include the names of all household members, the amount
and source of income received by each household member, and the last four
digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs
the application. If the household member
signing the application does not have a social security number, he or she must
indicate that a social security number is not available. All applications for free and reduced-price
meal benefits are subject to verification of income at any time during the
school year by school or other program officials.
Under the provisions of the
free and reduced-price policy, the School Nutrition Administrator or designee
in each school district will review applications and determine
eligibility. Parents or guardians
dissatisfied with the ruling of 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 writing to the school
district, charter school, non-public school or other participating institution.
If a household member becomes
unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the
school. Such changes may qualify children
of the household for school meals benefits if the household's income falls at
or below the levels shown above.
Some of the most common Questions and Answers about free and reduced-price meals are addressed below:
WHO CAN RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS?
· All children in households
receiving benefits from Food and
Nutrition Services (FNS, formerly known as Food Stamps), the Food Distribution
Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Cash Assistance (CA), are eligible for free meals.
· Foster
children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster-care agency or
court are eligible for free meals.
· Children
participating in their school’s federally funded Head Start program are
eligible for free meals.
· Children who meet the
definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
· Children may receive free or
reduced-price meals if the income of their household is within the limits on
the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS HOMELESS,
MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY? Do the members of your household lack a permanent
address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary
housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any
children living with you chosen to leave their prior family or household? If
you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and you have not
been told your children will receive free meals, please contact your Local
Education Agency (LEA).
DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD? No. Use one Free and Reduced Price
School Meals Application for all students in your household. The household application cannot be approved
if the application is not complete, so be sure to provide all required
information.
SHOULD I FILL OUT AN
APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE
ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS? No, but please
read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your
household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact the School
Nutrition Administrator in your school district immediately.
CAN I APPLY ONLINE?
Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online
application, instead of a paper application, if you are able. The online application has the same
requirements and will ask you for the same information as a paper application.
MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A NEW ONE?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for
that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the
school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do
not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not
been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be
charged the full price for meals.
I GET WIC. CAN MY CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS? Children in households participating in WIC may
be eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Please send in an application.
WILL THE INFORMATION I GIVE BE CHECKED? Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income
you report.
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.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE SCHOOL'S DECISION ABOUT MY APPLICATION? You
should talk to the district’s School Nutrition Administrator or you also may
ask for a hearing by calling or writing to the School Nutrition Office.
MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN? Yes. You, your children, or
other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or
reduced-price meals.
WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME? List
the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make
$1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put
down that you made $1000 per month. If
you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work
overtime sometimes. If you have lost a
job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
WHAT
IF SOME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE NO INCOME TO REPORT?
Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on
the application, or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens,
please write a zero (O) in the field. However, if any income fields are left
empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful
when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
WE ARE IN THE MILITARY. DO WE REPORT OUR INCOME
DIFFERENTLY? Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as
income. If you get any cash-value allowances for off-base housing, food,
or clothing, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the
Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing
allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is
also excluded from income.
WHAT
IF THERE ISN’T ENOUGH SPACE ON THE APPLICATION TO LIST ALL MY FAMILY? List any additional household members on a
separate piece of paper and attach it to your application. You may also contact
the local School Nutrition Office to
receive a second application.
MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP. ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR? To find out how to apply for Food
and Nutrition Services (FNS, formerly Food Stamps) or other assistance
benefits, contact your local assistance office or call The Careline at 1-800-662-7030.
For more information,
contact the School Nutrition Services of the North Carolina Department of
Public Instruction at 919-807-3506 or contact the School Nutrition Administrator
in the school district, charter school or non-public school of other
participating institution in which your child is enrolled.
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In
accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices,
and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs
are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex,
disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language,
etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for
benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard
of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal
Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.
To file a
program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
(AD-3027) found online at: How to File a
Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and
provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request
a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form
or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This
institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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