Wednesday, August 25, 2010

NEWS RELEASE -- 2010-11 Free and Reduced Lunch Policy Announced

NEWS RELEASE from the San Diego Unified School District, August 25, 2010

2010-11 FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH POLICY ANNOUNCED

(This news release is available online at http://www.sandi.net/20451072011452577/Blog/browse.asp?C=55921&A=398&DomainID=2125&PostID=791 in English and http://www.sandi.net/20451072011452577/Blog/browse.asp?C=55921&A=398&DomainID=2125&PostID=792 in Spanish.)


SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Unified School District today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The Food Services central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price (currently there is no charge for reduced-price meals in San Diego Unified School District), or full-price meal benefits (meal prices are $ 1.00 for breakfast, $2.00 for elementary lunch, and $2.50 for secondary lunch). Children from households whose gross income is at or below the levels shown here are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who receive SNAP (also known as Food Stamps, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automatically eligible for free meals regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligibility for a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the amount of the child's "personal use" income.

Application Forms will be distributed to households with a letter informing them of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for enrolled children. Applications are also available at the office in each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school office or mail it to the central Food Services office for processing. Households may also apply on-line by going to www.sandi.net and selecting the School Meal Info/Application shortcut. To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school office, mail it to the central Food Services office for processing, or complete the on-line application. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials.

Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving SNAP (also known as Food Stamps), CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits – applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, SNAP, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. For households who do not list a SNAP, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, the application must include the names of all household members, the gross amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the signature and corresponding Social Security number of an adult household member. If the household member who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must check the box indicating on the application that they do not have a Social Security number.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the San Diego Unified School District Food Services department, shall review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the Food Services hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact Food Services for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for San Diego Unified School District.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact Food Services. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Households that receive SNAP, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals. Food Service officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the SNAP, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving SNAP or FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit receiving CalWORKs or Kin-GAP benefits. Food Service officials will notify households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to receive free meals must contact Food Services. SNAP, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, and FDPIR households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 3, 2010.

To find out more about the free and reduced-price meal program, contact Food Services as (858) 627-7328 or on the web at www.sandi.net and select the School Meal Info/Application.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, the San Diego Unified School District is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider.

NOTE: The following tables are online at:
-- English: http://www.sandi.net/20451072011452577/Blog/browse.asp?C=55921&A=398&DomainID=2125&PostID=791


Income Eligibility for 2010-11 Free/Reduced Price Breakfast and Lunch

2010-11 Reduced Price Eligibility Scale
Students in families meeting the following income levels will receive reduced price lunch and breakfast.

Every
Household Annual Monthly Twice- Other
Size Salary Salary Monthly Week Weekly
1 $20,036 $1,670     $835     $771    $386  
 2     $26,955   $2,247    $1,124     $1,037    $519  
 3     $33,874     $2,823    $1,412     $1,303    $652  
 4     $40,793     $3,400    $1,700     $1,569    $785  
 5     $47,712     $3,976    $1,988     $1,836    $918  
 6     $54,631     $4,553    $2,277     $2,102    $1,051  
 7     $61,550     $5,130    $2,565     $2,368    $1,184  
 8     $68,469     $5,706    $2,853     $2,634    $1,317  
For each additional family member, add:
    $6,919     $577     $289     $267     $134  

2010-11 Free Lunch Eligibility Scale
Students in families meeting the following income levels will receive free lunch, breakfast and milk.

Every
Household Annual Monthly Twice- Other
Size Salary Salary Monthly Week Weekly
 1   $14,079     $1,174     $587     $542    $271  
 2     $18,941     $1,579     $790     $729    $365  
 3     $23,803     $1,984     $992     $916    $458  
 4     $28,665     $2,389     $1,195    $1,103    $552  
 5     $33,527     $2,794     $1,397    $1,290    $645  
 6     $38,389     $3,200     $1,600    $1,477    $739  
 7     $43,251     $3,605     $1,803    $1,664    $832  
 8     $48,113     $4,010     $2,005    $1,851    $926  
 For each additional family member, add:
    $4,862    $406     $203     $187    $94  


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CONTACT: Gary Petill, Food Services Director, (858) 627-7301
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