PUBLIC RELEASE FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH AND SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM FOR 2003 – 2004




Las Virgenes Unified School District today announced its policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Each school and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. Students may buy lunch for $2.00 at the elementary schools and $2.75 at the middle and high schools. Breakfast is available at the middle and high schools for $1.00.

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or full-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 recieve Food Stamps, California Work opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (Cal WORKS), Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automaticaly eligible regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligiblity for a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the child’s income.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independance Avenue, SW. Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 7205964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Applications forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing them of the principal’s office in each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete an application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year by school or program officials.

Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving Food Stamp, CalWORKs, KinGAP, or FDPIR case number, the applications need only include the child(ren)’s name, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, KinGAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. For households who do not list a Food Stamp, CalWORKs, KinGAP, or FDPIR case number, the application must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income recieved by each household member, and the signature and corresponding social security number of an adult household member; if the household member who signs the application does not have a social security number, the household member must indicate that a social security number is not available.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the sponsor/agency, shall review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the decision, and may do so orally or in writing with the sponsor/agency’s hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact their child(ren)’s school(s) for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for a specific school, agency, or district.

Households that list a Food Stamp, CalWORKs, KinGAP, or FDPIR case number must report when the household no longer receives these benefits. Households that are approved for benefits based on income must report increases in household income of over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size. Also, if a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the choldren of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Spanish translation applications are available at school sites.

Pub: 07-24-03


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