Some area schools have announced their policies for offering free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and/or School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone. Participating agencies include Dollarway, Watson Chapel, White Hall and Pine Bluff school districts.
According to a press release, household size and income criteria will be used to determine whether children are eligible for free and reduced price benefits for the 2012-13 school year. Households whose income is equal to 130% or less of the federal poverty level income are eligible for the free meal program, and households whose income is equal to 185% or less of the federal poverty level income are eligible for the reduced price meal program. For instance, the federal poverty level of annual income for a household of four is $23,050. If a household of four brings in $29,965 or less annually, that household is eligible for the free meal program; if the household brings in $42,643 or less annually, that household is eligible for the reduced price meal program.
Household application forms are being distributed by the school with a letter about the availability of free and reduced price meals. 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 complete the application and return it to the school. Applications cannot be approved unless it contains complete information as described in the instructions provided with the application. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year as circumstances change. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine eligibility and verification of data.
Applications may be subject to verification at any time during the school year by school officials.
Children are also eligible if their families receive food stamps (now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), enrolled in Head Start/Even Start programs, certified as migrant, homeless or foster children. Children in households that receive WIC may be eligible for benefits. If a household member becomes unemployed during the school year, the household may be eligible for free or reduced price meals.
For details, contact the schools.