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School meal guidelines announced

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced the 2004-05 income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals served under the school breakfast and lunch programs administered by the Georgia Department of Education.

Georgia public school students who are members of households receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits are eligible for free meals.ÊIf those households have been notified that their children are directly certified for free meals, they do not need to apply for free or reduced-price meals. If households do not wish their children to receive free meals, they are to notify the school immediately.

In addition, students that attend Georgia public schools and certain eligible private schools and can not pay full price for their meals are encouraged to apply for free or reduced-priced meals. Students from households with incomes at or below the levels shown on the accompanying chart are available for free or reduced-price meals.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household where they reside.ÊA foster child’s eligibility is based on the child’s income. In addition, students from households receiving food stamps or TANF who were not identified during the statewide direct certification process will be approved solely on the basis of their eligibility for those programs.

In order for school officials to determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps or TANF are required only to list the child’s name and his or her food stamp or TANF case number and provide a signature of an adult household member. Households not receiving food stamps or TANF must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of income of each household member and the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the person signing the application does not have a social security number, he or she must indicate that the number is not available.

Free and reduced-price applications may be submitted at anytime during the school year. Application information is confidential and will be used to determine eligibility.ÊSchool or program officials may verify information at any time during the school year.

Households receiving food stamps or TANF must report when the household no longer receives these benefits.ÊOther households approved for benefits are required to report an increase in income of more than $50 per month or $600 per year and a decrease in household size.ÊIf a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the school should also be notified. Such changes may make children eligible for benefits.

Each public school has a copy of the free and reduced-price meal policy indicating who is responsible for determining eligibility.ÊParents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official may wish to discuss the decision informally with that person. Parents or guardians wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request, either orally or in writing, to the hearing officer.ÊThe school office or the system superintendent’s office can provide the name, address, and phone number of the hearing officer.

Students participating in the USDA child nutrition programs will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. If any household member believes he or she has been discriminated against, he or she should write to the 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).

For more information about the application process, contact the school principal, the system superintendent, or the School Nutrition Program of the Georgia Department of Education, 1662 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 (404-651-6611). More information is available at www.gadoe.org.