The Arlington Independent School District announced its policy today for providing free and reduced-price meals for qualifying students under the current income eligibility guidelines. Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.

On July 27, Arlington ISD Food & Nutrition Services will begin distributing letters to students' households about eligibility benefits and any actions that must be taken to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available beginning Aug. 3 at 1206 W. Arkansas Ln., Arlington, or at www.schoollunchapp.com.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

The following criteria will be used to determine a student's eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

Income

1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels (see chart below)

Categorical or Automatic Eligibility

2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Program Participant
3. Student's status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Student's enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out the free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Food & Nutrition Services Offices located at 1206 W. Arkansas Ln., Arlington, Texas 76013. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency and source of current income for each household member
3. Last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a Social Security number, check the box for "No Social Security number"
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility

Arlington Independent School District Food & Nutrition Services is working with local agencies to identify all students who are categorically and program eligible. The Food & Nutrition Services Offices will notify the households of these students that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact the AISD Food & Nutrition Services compliance coordinator at 682-867-7895 or 682-867-7888.

Income Eligibility Guidelines for Determining Free and Reduced Price Meals
Effective July 1, 2015- June 30, 2016

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact the compliance coordinator for AISD Food & Nutrition Services at 1206 W. Arkansas Ln. or 682-867-7888.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by school officials at any time during the school year.

Determining Eligibility

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the Food & Nutrition Services compliance coordinator will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the reviewing official's eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to the AISD Food & Nutrition Services director at 1206 W. Arkansas Ln., Arlington.

Unexpected Circumstances

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the students of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.

The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online

at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected]. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.