APPENDIX A: SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM WEB SITES
USDA Model Application
School Meals Homepage: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/
Forms: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm
- For school year 2005-2006
- Application, parent letter, instructions, disclosure forms, verification notices
Translations: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm (Out-of-date applications)
- English, Cambodian, Chinese (Mandarin), Creole/Haitian, Croatian, French, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Somali, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese
- Only English and Spanish applications are updated
Policy Memorandum:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Reauthorization_Policy_04/Reauthorization_04/Reauthorization_2004.htm
“Reauthorization Memoranda 2004”
State School Meals Information
Alabama
School Meals Homepage: http://cnp.alsde.edu/ (Select “School Nutrition” from the left hand menu)
Forms: http://cnp.alsde.edu/ (Select “School Nutrition,” → “Forms”)
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, parent letter, instructions, disclosure form, verification notice, and notification of approval/denial
- English and Spanish
TOP OF PAGE
Alaska
School Meals Homepage: http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/cns/NSLP.html
Forms: http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/cns/nslp2.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, eligibility notification letter, notification for ending temporary approval, verification notice, disclosure form
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Arizona
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ade.state.az.us/health-safety/cnp/nslp/
Forms: http://www.ade.state.az.us/health-safety/cnp/nslp/parentforms/2005-2006/
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, parent letter, disclosure form, health insurance form
- English and Spanish
Policy Memorandum:
http://www.ade.state.az.us/health-safety/cnp/nslp/Memos/Memos04-05/CN45-05.pdf
“Reauthorization 2004: Changes Affecting Free- and Reduced-Price Certification Process”
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Arkansas
School Meals Homepage: http://cnn.k12.ar.us/
Forms: http://cnn.k12.ar.us/What's%20New/Forms/Forms.htm (click on “Complete Free and Reduced Price Meal Packet”)
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Application and instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), verification notice, and disclosure form
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Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
California
School Meals Homepage: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/
Forms: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/eligmaterials.asp
- Flexible school year
- Application, letter to households, notification of expiration of temporary benefits, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), health care referral information
- Verification notice – COMING SOON (1/30/06)
- Sample Public Release
- English and Spanish
TOP OF PAGE
Colorado
School Meals Homepage: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdenutritran/nutriprograms.htm
Forms: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdenutritran/download/word/FRPacket06a.doc
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application packet with application, instructions, parent letter, income criteria, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), disclosure form
- English and Spanish (scroll to end of packet)
Policy Memorandum: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdenutritran/download/pdf/FR%20Intro%20Letter%2006.pdf
“2005-2006 Child Nutrition Programs Forms — Free and Reduced Price Meals”
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Connecticut
School Meals Homepage: http://www.state.ct.us/sde/deps/nutrition/SchoolNutrIndex.htm
Forms: http://www.state.ct.us/sde/deps/nutrition/Forms/Forms.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, parent letter, disclosure letter, notification of approval/denial, health insurance form
- USDA model packet in Spanish
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Delaware
School Meals Homepage: http://childnutrition.doe.state.de.us/childnutrition/lunchmenupg.htm
District of Columbia
School Meals Homepage: http://www.k12.dc.us/dcps/services/student/student3.html
Florida
School Meals Homepage: http://fnm.doe.state.fl.us/main/html/nsl.html
Forms: http://fnmcnpwebprd.fldoe.org/floridaprd/FormDownload/FormDownloadMngr.asp?Mode=NSFD
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, parent letter, notification of approval (Direct Certification), notification of approval/denial, verification notice, disclosure form
TOP OF PAGE
Georgia
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/schools/nutrition/nutrition.asp
Forms: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/schools/nutrition/freepol.asp
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, instructions, parent letter, verification notice, notification of eligibility determination, notification of approval (Direct Certification), disclosure form, Special Assistance Certification and Reimbursement Alternative letter
- Sample Public Release.
TOP OF PAGE
Hawaii
National School Lunch Program Homepage: http://oahu-ces.hawaii.edu/OHCNP/lunch.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://oahu-ces.hawaii.edu/OHCNP/breakfast.html
Forms: http://oahu-ces.hawaii.edu/OHCNP/lunch.html (under “Household Application Forms”)
- Letter to households, instructions, verification notice, notification of approval/denial
- Sample Public Release
Idaho
School Meals Homepage: http://www.sde.state.id.us/child/
Forms: http://www.sde.state.id.us/child/nslp-renewalforms.asp (under “Documents for Sponsor Use”)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial
- English and Spanish
- Sample Public Release
Illinois
School Meals Homepage: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nutrition/htmls/national_school_lunch.htm
Forms: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nutrition/htmls/household_eligbility.htm
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, disclosure form, health insurance flyer
- Link to USDA applications in 18 languages
Policy Memorandum: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/nutrition/pdf/wic_reauthorization.pdf
“Implementation Guidance for Reauthorization Changes”
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Indiana
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.state.in.us/food/schoolnutrition/welcome.html
Forms: http://www.doe.state.in.us/food/schoolnutrition/cnpbenefitforms.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, parent letter, instructions, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), notification of temporary approval, disclosure form
- English and Spanish
Policy Memorandum: http://scnweb.doe.state.in.us/Nutrition/external_forms/SPFandRInfo.doc
“What’s new with Free and Reduced in 2005-06?”
TOP OF PAGE
Iowa
School Meals Homepage: http://www.state.ia.us/educate/ecese/fn/school_lunch/index.html
Forms: http://www.state.ia.us/educate/ecese/fn/school_lunch/res_admin.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, Medicaid information form, notification of approval/denial, waiver of confidentiality form, verification notice
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Kansas
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ksde.org/kneat/SNP/SNPShell/snp_home_page.htm
Forms: http://www.ksde.org/kneat/SNP/SNPShell/snp_home_page.htm (select “Forms & Instructions” → “Program Renewal” → “School Nutrition Programs”)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, letter to households, notification of approval/denial, waiver of confidentiality form
TOP OF PAGE
Kentucky
National School Lunch Program Homepage: https://kyeascn1.state.ky.us/nutrition/nslp.asp
School Breakfast Homepage: https://kyeascn1.state.ky.us/nutrition/sbp.asp
Forms: https://kyeascn1.state.ky.us/nutrition/nslp.asp (scroll down page to “Forms”)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, verification notice
- English and USDA model packet in Spanish and link to USDA application in 18 languages
TOP OF PAGE
Louisiana
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/nutrition/453.html
Maine
School Meals Homepage: http://www.maine.gov/education/sfs/nslp.htm
Forms: http://www.maine.gov/education/forms/SchNutrition/Agree&Appl/agreeapplforms.htm
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, disclosure form
- English and French and link to USDA applications in 18 languages (Somali Packet links to USDA website)
Policy Statement for Free and Reduced Price Benefits:
http://www.maine.gov/education/forms/SchNutrition/Agree&Appl/policystatef&benefits05.rtf
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Maryland
School Meals Homepage: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/schoolnutrition/school_lunch.htm
Massachusetts
National School Lunch Program Homepage: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/nslp.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/sbp/
Forms: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/nslp.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Notification of approval/denial, verification notice, hearing procedure (click on “2005-2006 Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Information” → scroll down to “Enclosure”)
Forms: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/nprograms/sbp/resources.html
- Parent letter, parent reminder flyer, utility discount flyer
Policy Memorandum: http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/free_red/05/
- Provides link to USDA prototype free and reduced meal application with additional comments for school food service directors
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Michigan
Nutrition Homepage: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6569_29919---,00.html
Forms: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Family_App_Instructionsandform4458c023_32766_7.pdf
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Minnesota
School Meals Homepage
Forms
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For School Year 2005-06
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Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), verification notice
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English, Hmong, Khmer, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese
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Sample Media Release
Policy Memorandum: http://education.state.mn.us/mde/static/004542.pdf
“Summary of Reauthorization Provisions for School Nutrition Programs”
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Mississippi
National School Lunch Homepage: http://www.cn.mde.k12.ms.us/cnprogs/nslp/default.htm
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.cn.mde.k12.ms.us/cnprogs/nsbp/default.htm
Forms: http://www.cn.mde.k12.ms.us/resources/forms/MealApplication2004-05.pdf
- For School Year 2004-05
- Instructions and parent letter
TOP OF PAGE
Missouri
National School Lunch Homepage: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/Lunch_Program.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/Breakfast_Program.html
Forms: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/food/PDF/direct_cert05_06.pdf
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, direct certification eligibility letter, notification of approval/denial, disclosure form, health insurance form
- Link to USDA applications in 18 languages
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Montana
School Meals Homepage: http://www.opi.mt.gov/schoolfood/index.html
Forms: http://www.opi.mt.gov/schoolfood/nutritionpgms.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, letter to households, notification of change in eligibility letter, notification of approval (Direct Certification), notification results of verification eligibility letter, verification notice
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Nebraska
School Meals Homepage: http://www.nde.state.ne.us/NS/nslp/index.htm
Forms: http://www.nde.state.ne.us/NS/forms/nslpforms/freereducedapp.htm
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instruction, letter to households, approval/denial letter, disclosure form, verification notice, notice of change in benefit
- USDA model packet in Spanish and link to USDA application in 18 languages.
Nevada
School Meals Homepage: http://www.doe.nv.gov/edteam/ndeoffices/schoolhealth/school.html
TOP OF PAGE
New Hampshire
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/programsupport/bnps.htm
Forms
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For School Year 2005-06
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USDA model application, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, disclosure forms, special dietary needs form, hearing procedures
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New Jersey
School Meals Homepage: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/markets/schnutrprg.htm
School Lunch Homepage: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/markets/natschlunch.htm
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/markets/schbrkftprg.htm
New Mexico
National School Lunch Homepage: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/div/sipds/snp/lunch.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/div/sipds/snp/breakfast.html
Forms: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/div/sipds/snp/forms.html
- For School Year 2003-04
- Application, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, verification notice (Household materials begin on Page 18 of PDF file)
- Sample Public Release
- English and Spanish
TOP OF PAGE
New York
Child Nutrition Homepage: http://portal.nysed.gov/portal/page?_pageid=74,1&_dad=pref&_schema=PORTAL30
Forms: http://portal.nysed.gov/pls/pref/docs/PAGE/CNKC/ELIGIBILITY/POLICY%20BOOKLET%2005-06.HTM (Household materials begin on Page 35)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letters, parent letter for children with disabilities, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), notification of change in eligibility, temporary approval letter, verification notice, disclosure form
- English, Spanish and Yiddish
TOP OF PAGE
North Carolina
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/childnutrition/nutritionprograms/
Forms (site not yet operational): http://www.ncpublicschools.org/childnutrition/applications/
TOP OF PAGE
North Dakota
National School Lunch Homepage: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/snp/nslp/index.shtm
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/snp/sbp/index.shtm
Forms: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/snp/tools/index.shtm
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, letter to households, notification of approval/denial, notification of change in benefit, medical statement for student in allergies, disclosure form, verification notice
TOP OF PAGE
Ohio
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/food_service/NSLP/default.asp
Forms: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/food_service/nslp/cns_school_downloadable_documents.asp
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, notification of approval/denial, verification package, notification of predetermined eligibility, disclosure form
- Link to USDA applications in 18 languages
- Sample Public Release
Oklahoma
School Meals Homepage: http://www.sde.state.ok.us/cnp/cnp_food.html
School Lunch Homepage: http://www.sde.state.ok.us/cnp/cnp_nslp.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.sde.state.ok.us/cnp/cnp_nsbp.html
Forms: http://www.sde.state.ok.us/cnp/cnp_doc.html (click on “Policy Statement/Attachments”)
- Flexible school year
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notice of approval/denial, verification notice
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Oregon
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=207
Forms: http://www.ode.state.or.us/services/nutrition/nslp/lunch/
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, verification notice, disclosure form
- English, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese
Pennsylvania
School Meals Homepage: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition/cwp/view.asp?a=5&Q=58628&food_nutritionNav=|3285|
School Lunch Homepage
School Breakfast Homepage
Forms: http://www.pears.ed.state.pa.us/AppPacDownLoad.asp?ProgramGrpId=NSLP
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, instructions, parent letter, disclosure forms, special medical and dietary needs form
Training Materials: http://nutrition.hhdev.psu.edu/projectpa/frames_html/frames_homepage.html
“Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations”
TOP OF PAGE
Rhode Island
School Meals Homepage: http://www.ridoe.net/child_family/nutrition/default.htm
South Carolina
National School Lunch Homepage: http://www.myscschools.com/offices/sfsn/pages/nslp.htm
School Breakfast Homepage: http://www.myscschools.com/offices/sfsn/pages/sbp.htm
Forms: http://www.myscschools.com/offices/sfsn/pages/formsindex.htm
- Flexible school year
- Application, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, verification notice, notification of approval (Direct Certification), waiver of confidentiality
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
South Dakota
School Meals Homepage: http://doe.sd.gov/oess/cans/nslp/index.asp
Forms: http://doe.sd.gov/oess/cans/nslp/applications.asp (click on “Attachments Section pages” under “2005-06 Renewal Agencies”)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of approval/denial
- Sample Public Release
Tennessee
School Meals Homepage: http://snp.state.tn.us/tndoe/ (Select “Tennessee SNP” on top menu)
Forms: http://snp.state.tn.us/tndoe/ (Select “Tennessee SNP” on top menu, → “SY 2006 Start-Up”)
- Provides link to registration package for starter application
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, parent letter, notification of predetermined eligibility, disclosure form, verification notice
- Sample Public Release
- Link to USDA applications in 18 languages
TOP OF PAGE
Texas
School Meals Homepage: http://www.squaremeals.org/fn/render/parent/
channel/0,1253,2348_2362_0_0,00.html
Forms: http://www.squaremeals.org/fn/render/channel/items/0,1249,2348_2439_0_0,00.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, notification of predetermined eligibility (migrant and Direct Certification), verification notice
- Sample Public Release
- English and Spanish
TOP OF PAGE
Utah
School Meals Homepage: http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/cnp/cnp%20programs.htm
Vermont
School Meals Homepage: http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/pgm_nutrition.html
Forms: http://www.state.vt.us/educ/nutrition/forms_pub/fp.htm
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instruction, parent letters, notification approval/denial, return of Direct Certification letter, verification notice
TOP OF PAGE
Virginia
School Meals Homepage: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Finance/Nutrition/programs.html
Forms: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Finance/Nutrition/resources.html
- Contact information for regional specialists
Washington
School Meals Homepage: http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/NSLSBP.aspx
Forms: http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/NSLSBP.aspx
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, parent letter, notification of approval/denial, notification of approval (Direct Certification), verification notice
- Sample Public Release
TOP OF PAGE
Wisconsin
School Meals Homepage: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dfm/fns/nslp1.html
Forms: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dfm/fns/fincou1.html
- For School Year 2005-06
- USDA model application, parent letter, verification materials, notification of predetermined eligibility, notification of approval (Direct Certification), verification notice, disclosure form
- Sample Public Release
Wyoming
School Health and Safety Homepage: http://www.k12.wy.us/hs.asp (click on “School Lunch and Breakfast”)
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Selected School Districts’ School Meals Information (Alphabetically by State)
Los Angeles Unified, CA
School Meals Homepage: http://cafe-la.lausd.k12.ca.us/
Forms: http://cafe-la.lausd.k12.ca.us/MEALAPP.HTM
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, letter to household
- English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese
Dade County School District, Miami, FL
Meals page: http://nutrition.dadeschools.net/freereduced.html
School Lunch Homepage: http://nutrition.dadeschools.net/lunchpgm.html
School Breakfast Homepage: http://nutrition.dadeschools.net/brkfstpgm.html
Forms: http://nutrition.dadeschools.net/documents.asp
- Verification change benefit letter, sibling change of meal benefits
Duval County School District, Jacksonville, FL
School Meals Homepage: http://www.educationcentral.org/schools/htmeals.asp
Forms: http://www.educationcentral.org/schools/htmeals.asp (scroll down to the bottom of the page to “National School Lunch Program”)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, parent letter, instructions
Hillsborough County School District, Tampa, FL
School Meals Homepage: http://apps.sdhc.k12.fl.us/SNS/index.asp
Forms: http://apps.sdhc.k12.fl.us/SNS/docs/school%20appletter.pdf
- Parent letter, instructions
Palm Beach County School District, FL
School Meals Homepage: http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/sfs/parent/
Forms
- English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole
Cobb County, Marietta, GA
School Nutrition Information: http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/departments/bs/bsfoodservices/free_reduced/free_reduced_home.htm
Forms: http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/departments/bs/bsfoodservices/free_reduced/free_reduced_home.htm (click “Application Form - English” for application and click “How to fill out application – English” for instructions)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions
- Spanish
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
School Meals Homepage: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/foodserv/farms/intro.shtm
FAQs (click “FAQ” under “Free and Reduced Price Meals Information” on a link to the left)
Forms: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/forms/pdf/240-30.pdf
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter
- Instructions in Cambodian, Chinese, French, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese
Prince Georges County Public Schools, MD
School Meals Homepage: http://www.pgcps.org/~lunch/index.html
Forms: http://www.pgcps.org/~lunch/application.htm
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV
School Meals Homepage: http://ccsd.net/foodservice/
School Lunch Program Homepage: http://ccsd.net/foodservice/1-NSLP.htm
Forms: http://ccsd.net/foodservice/2-FreeReduced.htm
New York City Department of Education, NY
School Meals Homepage: http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/meals/default.aspx
Forms: http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/meals/form_reduced_eng.aspx
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter
- English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Korean, Russian, Hindi, Polish, Urdu
Portland School District, OR
School Meals Homepage: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/nutrition/webwelcm.php
Forms: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/nutrition/parents.php
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter, disclosure form
- English, Spanish, and Russian (Vietnamese translations can be obtained by calling)
Philadelphia City School District, PA
School Meals Homepage: http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/foodservices/aboutus.html
Forms: http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/foodservices/programs.html (click “Confidential Applications for Free/Reduced Price Meals” → click “download sample application”)
- For School Year 2003-04
- Application, parent letter
Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
School Meals Homepage: http://www.fcps.edu/fs/food/food_at_school/free_reduced/
Forms: http://www.fcps.edu/fs/food/food_at_school/free_reduced/ (scroll down to the bottom of the page)
- For School Year 2005-06
- Application, instructions, parent letter
APPENDIX B: REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF APPLICATION MATERIALS
Information to be Contained in Letter or Notice to Households Distributed at the Beginning of School Year Under Program Regulations (7 C.F.R. 245.5(a)(1))
- In schools participating in a meal service program, the eligibility criteria for reduced price benefits with an explanation that household with incomes less than or equal to the reduced price criteria would be eligible for either free or reduced price meals.
- How a household may make application for free or reduced price meals or for free milk for its children (free milk may be offered by schools that do not operate a federal lunch program).
- An explanation that an application for free or reduced price benefits on the basis of income and household size cannot be approved unless it contains:
- names of all household members;
- income received by each household member, identified by source of the income;
- the signature of an adult household member; and
- the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or an indication that he/she does not possess a Social Security number.
- An explanation that households with children who are members of currently certified food stamp, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, or Food Distribution on Indian Reservations Program (FDPIR) households may submit applications for these children with abbreviated information:
- the child's name and appropriate food stamp or TANF case number or FDPIR case number or other identifier and
- signature of an adult household member.
- An explanation that the information on the application may be verified at any time during the school year.
- How a household may apply for benefits at any time during the school year as circumstances change.
- A statement to the effect that children having parents or guardians who become unemployed are eligible for free or reduced price meals or for free milk during the period of unemployment, provided that the loss of income causes the household income during the period of unemployment to be within the eligibility criteria.
- A statement to the effect that in certain cases foster children are eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside and that households wishing to apply for such benefits for foster children should contact the school district.
- The statement: ``In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability.''
- How a household may appeal the decision of the school district with respect to the application under the hearing procedure set forth in 7 C.F.R. § 245.7
- The letter or notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the application form required under 7 C.F.R. § 245.6.
Specifications Regarding Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Applications Under Program Regulations (7 C.F.R. § 245.6(a))
- The application shall be clear and simple in design.
- The information requested on the application shall be limited to that required to demonstrate whether the family meets the eligibility criteria for free or reduced price meals.
Information that Must be Requested on Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Applications Under Program Regulations (7 C.F.R. § 245.6(a))
- Names of all household members.
- Income received by each member (identified by household member who received the income)
- Social Security number of adult household member who signs application or indication that the adult does not have a Social Security number.
- Food stamp, FDPIR, or TANF case number in lieu of names of all household members, household income information, and Social Security number or indication that the adult has none.
- Signature of adult family member.
Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Applications Must also Include Substantially the Following Statements Under Program Regulations (7 C.F.R. § 245.6(a))
- “Unless you include your child’s case number for the Food Stamp Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (or other identifier for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, you must include the social security number of the adult household member signing the application or indicate that the household member does not have a social security number. This is required by Section 9 of the National School Lunch Act. The social security number is not mandatory, but the application cannot be approved if a social security number is not given or an indication is not made that the signer does not have a social security number. The social security number will be used in the administration and enforcement of the program.”
- “In certain cases foster children are eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk regardless of your household income. If you have such children living with you and wish to apply for such meals or milk for them, please contact us.”
- The application shall also include a statement, immediately above the space for signature, that the person signing the application certifies that all information furnished in the application is true and correct, that the application is being made in connection with the receipt of Federal funds, that school officials may verify the information on the application, and that deliberate misrepresentation of the information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable State and Federal criminal statutes.
Changes Needed to Application Materials Resulting from Reauthorization
As a result of new provisions included in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-265), certain changes had to be made to application materials. USDA has implemented these provisions through guidance, but has not yet issued regulations. USDA's guidance summarizing application changes resulting from the reauthorization legislation is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Application/2005-03-07.pdf. More detailed guidance on specific provisions is cited below.
- Eligibility now lasts for the full school year. As a result, parents are no longer required to inform the school district of any changes in their household circumstances that might affect their child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals. Applications and related materials — including instructions and introductory web pages — may no longer include any mention of reporting changes in household income, family composition, or receipt of benefits. (While school districts may not ask households that have been approved for free or reduced-price meals to provide updated information about their circumstances, they must accept applications throughout the year. School districts are required to communicate to parents that the school welcomes new applications at any time during the year, and may wish to especially encourage applications from families who feel they may newly qualify.) USDA has issued initial guidance regarding this provisions which is available at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Reauthorization_Policy_04/
Reauthorization_04/2004-07-07.pdf and
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Reauthorization_Policy_04/
Reauthorization_04/2004-08-25.pdf.
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Application materials (though not necessarily the application itself) must contain a notification that children living in households receiving benefits through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Food Stamp Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
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Communications with households regarding the certification process must be "in an understandable and uniform format and, to the maximum extent practicable, in a language that parents and legal guardians can understand." (Section 9(b)(8) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(8)).) The legislation clarified and emphasized the requirement that eligibility-related materials must be comprehensible to adults with a wide range of language and literacy skills. USDA has issued initial guidance regarding this provision (available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2005-12-23.pdf).
APPENDIX C: REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF VERIFICATION MATERIALS
Information Required to be Provided to Households Selected for Verification Under Program Regulations (7 C.F.R. 245.6a(a)(ii))
- Written notice that their application has been selected for verification and that the household is required to provide the requested verification information by a specified date.
- An explanation of the types of information and/or documents that are required to confirm eligibility for free or reduced price meals.
- The name and no-charge phone number of a school official who can assist in the verification effort.
- In lieu of any information that would otherwise be required, the household can submit proof of current food stamp, FDPIR, or TANF certification to verify the eligibility of a child who is a member of a food stamp, FDPIR, or TANF household;
- Unless the household provides a food stamps, TANF, or FDPIR case number, information provided to the local educational agency must include the Social Security number of each adult household member or an indication that the adult does not have a Social Security number;
- Provision of a Social Security number is not mandatory but if neither a Social Security number or an indication that the adult does not have one is provided, free or reduced price meal benefits will be terminated; and
- The Social Security numbers provided may be used to identify households members in carrying out efforts to verify the correctness of information stated on the application and continued eligibility for the program.
- An explanation that verification efforts may be carried out through program reviews, audits, and investigations and may include contacting a food stamp, FDPIR, or TANF office to determine current certification for receipt of these benefits, contacting employers to determine income, contacting the State employment security office to determine the amount of benefits received and checking documentation produced by household members to prove the amount of income received.
- An explanation that failure to cooperate with the verification efforts will result in termination of benefits.
Changes Needed to Verification Materials Resulting from Reauthorization
- Verification materials must explain that documentation of eligibility may be provided for any point in time between the month prior to the original application and the time the household is required to provide documentation.
- Homeless, runaway, and migrant children are now categorically eligible for free meals. Therefore documentation of a child as having such status is sufficient to verify eligibility. Households need to be informed that documentation of such status is sufficient to verify eligibility in lieu of providing documentation of income or benefit receipt.
- Communications with households regarding the verification process must be "in an understandable and uniform format and, to the maximum extent practicable, in a language that parents and legal guardians can understand." (Section 9(b)(8) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(8)).) The legislation clarified and emphasized the requirement that eligibility-related materials must be comprehensible to adults with a wide range of language and literacy skills. USDA has issued initial guidance regarding this provision (available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2005-12-23.pdf and http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2006-03-02.pdf).
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