MonticelloLive

Monticello School District has announced its policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and/or School Breakfast Program. The central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

HOUSEHOLD APPLICATIONS

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced price benefits for SY 2008-2009. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals

Household application forms are being distributed by the school with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced price meals for their children. Only one application should be submitted for each household. Applications are also available at the principal’s office in each school. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data.

Applications may be subject to verification at any time during the school year by school officials.

All children and people living in the household should be reported on the household application, even if the household member is not a relative. Applicants and household members do not have to be US citizens to qualify for benefits.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced price benefits, households receiving food stamps should only list their child’s name and food stamp case number, and an adult household member must sign the application. Households who do not list a food stamp case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult household member does not have a social security number, the adult household member must indicate that a social security number is not available. The application must be signed by an adult household member.

If the household income is not the same each month, list the amount that is normally received. For instance if a household member usually receives $1000 per month but only received $900 last month, put down the $1000 that is normally received. If overtime is normally earned each month, include that income on the application.
If the household receives housing income from the military, this will not be included on the application if it is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. If the housing income is not part of the Privatization Initiative it should be included on the application. Do not include the Department of Defense’s Family and Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) as income. All other military pay allowances must be included in your gross income.

CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY

Children who are members of food stamp households are eligible for free meals. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the food stamp office. School officials will notify households of their eligibility. Households who are notified of their eligibility but who do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. Food stamp households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by August 20. When completing an application for students from food stamp households the only information required on the application is the student’s name, school, food stamp case number and the application must be signed by an adult member of the household.

Children who are enrolled in Head Start / Even Start programs are eligible for free meals. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the Head Start / Even Start program coordinators. School officials will notify households of their eligibility. Households who are notified of their eligibility but who do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. Contact Florence Bittle at 870-367-4009 with questions regarding Head Start / Even Start meal benefits.

Children certified as migrant, homeless or runaway by the district are eligible for free meals. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the Migrant coordinator and Homeless / Runaway Liaison. School officials will notify households of their eligibility. Households who are notified of their eligibility but who do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school. Contact Florence Bittle at 870-367-4009 with questions regarding migrant, homeless or runaway meal benefits.

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child’s income. An application must be completed for each foster child for eligibility to be determined. Contact Florence Bittle at 870-367-4009 with questions regarding foster children applications.

Children in households that receive WIC may be eligible for benefits. An application must be completed for determination of eligibility.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal policy, the food service director will review applications and determine eligibility.

Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to:

Bob R. Harper, Superintendent
935 Scogin Drive
Monticello, AR 71655
Phone: 870-367-4000

The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2004 authorizes the certification of free and reduced-price meal benefits for the entire school year. The HOUSEHOLD IS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO NOTIFY SCHOOL DISTRICT when:
• The household income is increased.
• The household is no longer eligible for food stamps.
• The number in the household decreases.

However this CHANGE DOES NOT APPLY under the following circumstances:
• The original eligibility certification of household was incorrect.
• The verification of a household’s eligibility does not support the benefits being received.
• A household has been approved for benefits on a temporary basis.

A household may SUBMIT an application AT ANY TIME OF YEAR if the new application would qualify them for INCREASED benefits. If the household submits an application later in the year that would decrease the benefits, the district may do the following:
• The family may be given the option to continue with the benefits approved at the beginning of the year or choose the reduced benefits.
• The district may decide to provide the family a notification that the eligibility for increased benefits established at the beginning of the school year is good for the entire year and that no action will be taken on the second application.

If a household member becomes unemployed during the school year, the household may apply for benefits at any time during the school year.

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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.