USDA Policy for Free and Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program Announced

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction announced the 2014-15 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools.

The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to nutritious meals at school.

“Healthy school meals and quality classroom instruction are top priorities in North Carolina because they help prepare students for success,” State Superintendent June Atkinson said. “Recent changes in the school nutrition program have resulted in school meals and snacks that are healthier and more appealing to students.”

The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 are listed below:

HOUSEHOLD SIZE ANNUAL MONTHLY TWICE PER MONTH EVERY TWO WEEKS WEEKLY
Free Reduced Price Free Reduced Price Free Reduced Price Free Reduced Price Free Reduced Price
1 15,171 21,590 1,265 1,800 633 900 584 831 292 416
2 20,449 29,101 1,705 2,426 853 1,213 787 1,120 394 560
3 25,727 36,612 2,144 3,051 1,072 1,526 990 1,409 495 705
4 31,005 44,123 2,584 3,677 1,292 1,839 1,193 1,698 597 849
5 36,283 51,634 3,024 4,303 1,512 2,152 1,396 1,986 698 993
6 41,561 59,145 3,464 4,929 1,732 2,465 1,599 2,275 800 1,138
7 46,839 66,656 3,904 5,555 1,952 2,778 1,802 2,564 901 1,282
8 52,117 74,167 4,344 6,181 2,172 3,091 2,005 2,853 1,003 1,427
For each additional household member:
Add: 5,278 7,511 440 626 220 313 203 289 102 145

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 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible for free meals. The determining official will certify SNAP/TANF families 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.)
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, house-holds must complete the application and return it to the school or to the Child 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. Because they are automatically certified by the determining official via direct certification, SNAP/TANF families do not need to complete an application.

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/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 Child 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.

For more information contact the Child Nutrition Administrator in the school district, charter school or non-public school of other participating institution in which your child is enrolled or School Nutrition Services, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, at (919) 807-3506.

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers About Free and Reduced Price Meals

Do you need to fill out an application for each of your children?

No, you only need one application for each household.

Do you need to fill out an application if your children are receiving food stamps?

No. If your household receives assistance from the Food Stamp Program or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF), your children will be notified of their eligibility and they will be provided free meal benefits unless you notify the school that you choose to decline benefits. You should only submit an application if you are not notified of your eligibility by a specified date determined by the school.

Who can get free meals?

All children in households receiving benefits from Food and Nutrition Services, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or TANF/Work First can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.

Can foster children get free meals?

Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.

Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?

Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If your children meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant but have not been informed that they will get free meals, contact the school’s homeless, runaway or migrant liaison.

Can children enrolled in a school’s Head Start Program get free meals?
If your children meet this criterion, and you have not been informed that they will get free meals, you must contact the Child Nutrition Administrator in your school district.

Who can get reduced price meals?

Children from families whose total household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines Chart can get school meals at a maximum reduced price of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. There is a special provision in North Carolina that enables many students to receive all or a portion of reduced price breakfast meals at no cost to the household. Contact the school’s Child Nutrition Administrator for specific details about this provision in your school.

Should you fill out an application if you get a letter this school year saying your children are approved for free or reduced price meals?
Read the letter carefully and follow the instructions, or call your school district’s Child Nutrition Administrator.

My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another 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.

I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals?

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals, but you will need to fill out an application.

Will the information you give be checked?

Yes, and you may be asked to send written proof.

If you do not qualify now, may you apply later?

Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start getting Food Stamps, TANF, or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.

What if you disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should talk to the district’s Child Nutrition Administrator or you may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing the school officials.
May you apply if someone in your household is not a U. S. citizen?
Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be U. S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced price meals.

Who should you include as members of your household?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children who live with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a prorated share of expenses), do not include them.

What if your 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.

We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income?
If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.

My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is his/her combat pay counted as income?

No, if the combat pay is received in addition to his/her basic pay because of his/her deployment and it wasn’t received before he/she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact the district’s Child Nutrition Administrator for more information.

My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
In North Carolina, to find out how to apply for Food and Nutrition Services, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call the Careline phone number 1.800.662.7030.

Will children be treated differently if they receive free or reduced price meal benefits?

No. Children receiving free or reduced price meals are treated the same as children who pay for their meals. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, all schools and institutions participating in the federally-funded school nutrition programs are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call 866.632.9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax 202.690.7442 or by email at [email protected].

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800.877.8339; or 800.845.6136 (in Spanish).

For more information contact the Child Nutrition Administrator in the school district, charter school or non-public school of other participating institution in which your child is enrolled or School Nutrition Services, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, at 919.807.3506.

About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 126 charter schools serving over 1.5 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state’s public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.

For more information:
NCDPI Communication and Information Division, 919.807.3450.