School meal assistance program

The St Johns County School District has announced to reporters at Historic City News its student policy for free and reduced price meals served under the School Breakfast Programs, National School Lunch and Child Care Food Program.

Anyone whose school children are unable to pay full price for meals may review a copy of the policy by contacting Elizabeth Binninger, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, 10 Hildreth Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 or (904) 547-3961 or toll free 1-(866) 984-7084.

Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility.  An application cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information. Once approved, meal benefits are good for an entire year. You need not notify the school district of changes in income and household size.

Application forms will be sent home with a letter to parents or guardians or a copy can be found on the Food and Nutrition Service’s website.  To apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school or district office, or an application can be completed online.  Additional copies are also available at the front office in each school.  The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Households that receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) are required to list on the application only the child’s name, SNAP/TANF case number, and signature of adult household member.

Foster children will receive free benefits regardless of the child’s personal income or the income of the household.

Households with children who are considered migrants, homeless, or runaway should contact the district liaison Chamane Williams (904) 547-7587.

For the purpose of determining household size, deployed service members are considered a part of the household. Families should include the names of the deployed service members on their application. Report only that portion of the deployed service member’s income made available to them or on their behalf to the family. Additionally, a housing allowance that is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is not to be included as income.

All other households must provide the following information listed on the application:

• Total household income listed by gross amount received, type of income (e.g., wages, child support, etc.) and how often the income is received by each household member to include all children whether in a school or not;
• Names of all household members – check the “no income” box if applicable; if household member is a child, list school name for each;
• Signature of an adult household member certifying the information provided is correct; and
• The last four digits of the social security number of the adult signing the application or the word “NONE” for this household member if he or she does not have a social security number.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the district should be contacted.  Children of parents or guardians who become unemployed should also contact the district.

Under the provisions of the Free and Reduced-Price meal policy, the Food Service Director or approved designee will review applications and determine eligibility.  If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he or 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 or she may make a request either orally or in writing to the Director of Student Services, 40 Orange Street, St Augustine, FL 32084, 904-547-7536.

Unless indicated otherwise on the application, the information on the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application may be used by the school system in determining eligibility for other educational programs.

FREE MEAL SCALE

Household Size	Annual	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	14,521	559	280
2	19,669	757	379
3	24,817	955	478
4	29,965	1,153	577
5	35,113	1,351	676
6	40,261	1,549	775
7	45,409	1,747	874
8	50,557	1,945	973
For each additional family member, add	5,148	198	99

REDUCED-PRICE MEAL SCALE

Household Size	Annual	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	20,665	795	398
2	27,991	1,077	539
3	35,317	1,359	680
4	42,643	1,641	821
5	49,969	1,922	961
6	57,295	2,204	1,102
7	64,621	2,486	1,243
8	71,947	2,768	1,384
For each additional family member, add	7,326	282	141

To determine annual income:

• If you receive the income every week, multiply the total gross income by 52.
• If you receive the income every two weeks, multiply the total gross income by 26.
• If you receive the income twice a month, multiply the total gross income by 24.
• If you receive the income monthly, multiply the total gross income by 12.

Remember:  The total income before taxes, social security, health benefits, union dues, or other deductions must be reported.

“In accordance with Federal Law, and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  Individuals who are hearing impaired 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.”