9/16 School Meals and Food Distribution Programs Special Update

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 09/16/2024 08:44 AM PDT

9/16 School Meals and Food Distribution Programs Special Update

Update: Meal Applications for Households with Temporary Financial Hardships

Update: Meal Applications for Households with Temporary Financial Hardships

Child Nutrition Services is providing the following guidance for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) receiving new meal applications from households experiencing temporary financial hardships, such as an employer strike or furlough.

Households of affected employees may be eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits. An employer strike or furlough is a unique situation where households may not have information on the duration or the ultimate impact on the household income. Applications may reflect the current household situation and the eligibility determination would be for the entire school year. LEAs should encourage households approved for meal benefits to contact their Nutrition Services department if their economic hardship is remedied and they are no longer eligible. This change may be due to returning to work and/or restoration of pay.

In addition, households should be made aware that if they are selected for verification later in the school year, they will be required to produce documentation of actual income for the application month. School districts may choose to verify applications “for cause” if they have specific information indicating that the information on the application is not accurate.   

Questions? Please contact your School Meal Program Specialist. 

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

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This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.