Media Releases: July 1, 2003
School Year 2003-2004
The St. Johns County School District
today announced its policy for free and reduced price
meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals
served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast
Programs. The School Food & Nutrition Services Office
has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any
interested party.
The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining
eligibility:
Florida
Income Eligibility Guidelines
For Free and Reduced Price Meals
Effective from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004
|
| |
FREE MEAL SCALE |
REDUCED PRICE SCALE |
| Household Size |
Annually |
Mthly |
Weekly |
Annually |
Mthly |
Weekly |
| 1 |
11,674 |
973 |
225 |
16,613 |
1,385 |
320 |
| 2 |
15,756 |
1,313 |
303 |
22,422 |
1,869 |
432 |
| 3 |
19,838 |
1,654 |
382 |
28,231 |
2,353 |
543 |
| 4 |
23,920 |
1,994 |
460 |
34,040 |
2,837 |
655 |
| 5 |
28,002 |
2,334 |
539 |
39,849 |
3,321 |
767 |
| 6 |
32,084 |
2,674 |
617 |
45,658 |
3,805 |
879 |
| 7 |
36,166 |
3,014 |
696 |
51,467 |
4,289 |
990 |
| 8 |
40,248 |
3,354 |
774 |
57,276 |
4,773 |
1,102 |
| For each additional family member Add: |
+4,082 |
+341 |
+79 |
+5,809 |
+485 |
+112 |
|
Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible
for free or reduced price meals
Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or
guardians. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill
out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available
at the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on
the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and
may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program
officials.
Households that receive Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(TANF) are required to list on the application only the child’s name
and food stamp or TANF case number, and signature of adult household member.
For the school officials to determine eligibility, all other households must
provide the following information listed on the application:
1) The total monthly household income must be listed by the amount received
by each household member receiving income and the type of income (such as wages,
child support, etc.);
2) Names of all household members;
3) Social Security number of the adult signing the application or the Word “NONE” for
this household member if they do not have a Social Security number; and
4) The signature of an adult household member certifying that the information
is correct.
Households that list income information and receive meal benefits must report
to the school any decreases in household size and any increases in income of
over $50 per month or $600 per year. Households that list a food stamp or TANF
case number must report to the school when the food stamps or TANF is no longer
received.
Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal policy, St. Johns County
School District officials will review applications and determine eligibility.
If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he
may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal
basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he may make a request
either orally or in writing to James Welu, Director of Student Services, 47
Orange Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084; (904) 819-7591 for a hearing to appeal
the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes,
the school should be contacted. Such changes may make the children of the household
eligible for reduced price meals or for additional benefits such as free meals,
if the household income falls at or below the levels indicated.
In certain cases foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a
household has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such
meals for them, the household should contact the Food Service Office for more
information.
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy,
this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to
all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,
S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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