National School Lunch Program Meal Eligibility Policy Announced

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recently announced the 2015-16 policy for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina public schools.

The USDA’s school meals’ program helps ensure all students have access to nutritious meals at school.

“Research indicates that eating habits play a major role in student performance and health,” said State Superintendent June Atkinson. Children who are hungry have difficulty learning and do not perform as well in the classroom as students who are well-nourished. Healthy school meals and quality classroom instruction are top priorities in North Carolina because both are important to helping students achieve academic success.

The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 are as follows:

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 15,301 21,775 1,276 1,815 638 908 589 838 295 419
2 20,709 29,471 1,726 2,456 863 1,228 797 1,134 399 567
3 26,117 37,167 2,177 3,098 1,089 1,549 1,005 1,430 503 715
4 31,525 44,863 2,628 3,739 1,314 1,870 1,213 1,726 607 863
5 36,933 52,559 3,078 4,380 1,539 2,190 1,421 2,022 711 1,011
6 42,341 60,255 3,529 5,022 1,765 2,511 1,629 2,318 815 1,159
7 47,749 67,951 3,980 5,663 1,990 2,832 1,837 2,614 919 1,307
8 53,157 75,647 4,430 6,304 2,215 3,152 2,045 2,910 1,023 1,455
For each additional household member
Add: 5,408 7,696 451 642 226 321 208 296 104 148

The household size and income criteria referenced 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 the court are considered categorically eligible for free meals 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. SNAP/CA families 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 meals, 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 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.

Please visit www.ncpublicschools.org for additional information.