Guidelines released for Rockwall ISD free and reduced-price meals

ROCKWALL, TX. (August 5, 2014) Rockwall ISD has just announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the current income eligibility guidelines which can be found at squaremeals.org. Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.

Application forms will be distributed to all households with a letter informing households about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available online at http://www.rockwallisd.com/students/general/student-support/current-school-menus/ or at the Child Nutrition office. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year to the school’s cafeteria manager or mail to the Child Nutrition Office, 1050 Williams St. Rockwall, TX 75087.  The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits: (1) A household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels. (2) Households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). (3) A child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster. (4) A child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) only have to list their child’s name and SNAP or TANF eligibility number. An adult household member must sign the application.

Households that do not list a SNAP/TANF eligibility number must list the names of all household members, amount, frequency and source of current income for each household member, the last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “I do not have a Social Security number”. The application must be signed by the adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct.

Rockwall ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Rockwall ISD will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have or any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact the Child Nutrition office at 972-771-8201.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy the Child Nutrition Department Director’s Secretary, will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Mike Ball, Chief Financial Officer,1050 Williams St.Rockwall,TX75087.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the Child Nutrition office at 972-771-8201. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.

Submitted by Alyssa Suniga, Rockwall Independent School District Communications Coordinator.

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