Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 1, 1 January 1990 — Apply anytime [ARTICLE]

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Free, reduced fee for meals at school

The Department of Education, School Food Services Branch, has announced its policy for free and reduced price meals for children unahle to pay for the full price of meals served under the National School Luneh, School Breakfast, or Commodity School Programs. Eaeh school and eaeh district office has a copy of the policy, whieh may be reviewed by anyone. AppIications Application forms are being sent to all students' 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 eaeh school. The information provided on the applieahon will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials. Eligibility For the school officials to determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps or AFDC must list the child's name, their food stamp or AFDC case number and the signature and name of an adult household member. Households not receiving food stamps or AFDC must list: names of all household members; social security numbers of all adult household members or a statement that the household member does not possess one; total household ineome and the amount and source of the ineome received by eaeh household member; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. Application may be submitted at any time during the year for reduced fee or free meals. Under the provisions of the free and reduced price policy, the schools 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 the school for a hearing to appeal the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure. Households that list a food stamp or AFDC case number must report when the household no longer receives these benefits. Other households approved for benefits are required to report increases in household ineome of over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's ineome falls at or below the levels set for eligibility. Foster Children In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a household has foster ehildren living with them and wishes to apply for school meals for them, the household should eheek the foster child block on the Free and Reduced Price Meal Applieahon form. Funds provided by the welfare agencyfor personal use of the child, such as clothing, school fees, and allowances should be listed as ineome. The school should then eheek to ensure that the child meets the USDA definition. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data. In the operation of child feeding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, no child will be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or handicap. If any member of a household believes he/she

has been discriminated against, he/she should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Offer vs Serve program The Department of Education hasextended the USDA's luneh "Offer vs. Serve" program to all grade levels. High and intermediate school students will eonhnue to have the option of selecting three out of the total five food eomponents served. Elementary school students, will eonhnue to have the option of selecting four out of

the total five food components. The "Offer vs. Serve" program is applieahle to both luneh and breakfast Programs. Starting this school year all students K-12 will have the option to reject one food component for breakfast. Students who ask for less than the maximum food components will be required to pay the full price for luneh and for breakfast. The following household size and ineome criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from households whose ineome is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

HAWAII Free Meals Reduced Price Meals 130% of Poverty Guidelines 185% of Poverty Guidelines FAMILY SIZE YEAR MONTH WEEK YEAR MONTH WEEK 1 8,931 745 172 12)7io 1,060 245 2 11,986 999 231 17057 1,422 329 3 15,041 1,254 290 21,405 1,784 412 4 18,096 1,508 348 25,752 2,146 496 5 21,151 1,763 407 30,100 2,509 579 6 24,206 2,018 466 34,447 2,871 663 7 27,261 2,272 525 38,795 3,233 747 8 30,316 2,527 583 43,142 3,596 830 —3,055 —255 —59 —4,348 —363 —84