Garland ISD announces free and reduced-price meals program policy

(GARLAND,TX — Aug. 12, 2016) Garland ISD recently announced its policy regarding its free and reduced-price meals program for the 2016-17 school year. The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

Income
1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Program Participant
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete the free and reduced-price meal application and submit online or return the printed application form to their child’s school or the Student Nutrition Services office located at 701 N.1st Street, Garland, TX 75040. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
3. 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”
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility
Student Nutrition Services is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible and 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 should contact Student Nutrition Services at 972-494-8322.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Student Nutrition Services at 972-494-8322.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. 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.

Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Student Nutrition Services 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 Brad Trudeau, Director of Student Nutrition Services, at 701 N. 1st. Garland, TX 75040.

Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the current income eligibility guidelines below.