2009-10 Free and reduced price meals information
Lee County Public Schools 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 District’s administrative office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
To speed the processing of the applications, the District began mailing applications to each household July 15th, 2009. The names of the children attending Lee County Public Schools will be printed on the form with space available for the parents to write in the names of any additional children who are new to the District.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to mail their applications into the Food and Nutrition Services Office before the start of school so there will be no delay in their children receiving meal benefits if they qualify.
Blank meal applications will continue to be available at the schools.
The District receives over 42,000 meal applications at the start of each school year. In an effort to speed the processing of these forms, this year the process has been automated. Instead of manually keying information into a database, the District will be using high-speed scanners and software to electronically “read” the hand-writing on the form. The process is extremely accurate and has proven to be three-times faster than manual data entry, saving the District thousands of dollars in labor and providing meal benefits faster than ever before.
Households that receive Food Stamps or TANF/TCA “Temporary Cash Assistance” are required to list on the application the food stamp or TANF/TCA case number next to each child’s name.
For the central office personnel 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 it is (such as wages, child support, etc.);
2. Names of all household members;
3. Social Security number of the head of household/primary wage earner or 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 provided is correct.
Households that list income information and receive meal benefits must report to the school any decrease in household size and any increase in income of over $50 per month or $600 per year. Households that list a food stamp or TANF/TCA case number must report to the Food Service Office when food stamps or TANF/TCA 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 the Central Food Service Office will scan applications and eligibility will be determined electronically. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis.
If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to Wayne Nagy, Director, Food Services; 2855 Colonial Blvd; Fort Myers, FL 33966; 461-8449, for a hearing to appeal the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
The Food Service Office should be contacted if a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for either reduced price meals or for additional benefits, such as free meals for them if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.
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.
The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institute is prohibited form discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.