ROCKWALL, TX (August 10, 2020) Rockwall ISD announced its policy today 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.
The online application will be available as of August 1 on the district website – rockwallisd.com; click the ‘apple’ icon or under Departments – Child Nutrition Department and it will be made available to all students under the Rockwall ISD online Registration process. Application forms are also available at the school’s office, cafeteria or Child Nutrition office. A ‘Letter to Household’ informing households about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits will be distributed to all students. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school, either online or a paper application may be submitted to the school cafeteria or the Child Nutrition office at 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 group number (EDG). 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 the Executive Director of Operations, 1050 Williams St. Rockwall, TX 75087.
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 press release, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.
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