REQUIRED NOTIFICATION NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH LETTER TO PARENTS FOR SCHOOL MEALS AND/OR TEXTBOOK ASSISTANCE

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. Jennings County School Corporation offers healthy meals every school day. The breakfast regular price is $1.25; lunch regular price is $1.75 (elementary), $2.00 (JCMS/JCHS). Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.

1. Who can get free or reduced-price meals? Children in households receiving Food Stamps or TANF and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, if your household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Chart, your children can get free or reduced price meals

2. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one application for _all students in your  household,. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to your school.

3. My child's application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one? Yes. Your child's application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.

4 .  Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced price meals? Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the school's office if you have questions.

5. I get WIC. Can my children get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.

6.  Can migrant, homeless, or runaway children get free meals? Please call the school's office (school migrant coordinator or homeless liaison) to see if your children qualify, if you have not been informed that they will get free meals.

7 .  May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your children do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced price meals.

8. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you..

9 .  Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to provide written proof.

10.  What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime include it, but not include it if you only work overtime sometimes.

11. We are in the military; do we include our housing allowance as income? If you get an  off-base housing allowance, it must be include as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

12. My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is her/his combat pay counted as income? No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic pay because of her deployment and it wasn't received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact your school for more information  

13.  If I don't qualify now, may I apply again later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year.

14. My family needs more help. Are there other programs available? To find out how to apply for food stamps or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office.

15.  What if I disagree with the school's decision about my application? You should talk to the school officials. You may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing to Amber Fields,  Hearing Official, 34 Main Street, North Vernon, IN 47265, 812/346-4483

We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information.

Return the complete application to your child's school.

If you have other questions or need help, call Susan Wood at 346-4483.

Si necesita aquda, por favor (lame at telefono: Susan Wood at 812 346-4483.

Si vous voudriez d'aide, contactez nous au numero: Susan Wood at 812. 346-4483. Sincerely, Susan Wood, SNS

Privacy Act Statement: This explains how we will use the information you give us. The  Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your children for free or reduced price meals. You must include the security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number.  We WILL use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

Non-discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250­-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.