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ONE APPLICATION PER FAMILY
(Even if you have students who attend different Spokane Public School sites)
July 7, 2010
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Children need healthy meals to learn. Spokane Public Schools offer nutritious meals every school day. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
| The cost of meals is: |
Breakfast: |
Elementary
$1.30 |
Secondary
$1.50 |
Reduced Price
Free* |
|
Lunch: |
Elementary
$2.10 |
Secondary
$2.75 |
Reduced Price
$0.40** |
* The state of Washington currently pays the breakfast reduced co-pay ($.30) for students who qualify for reduced-priced meals.
** The state is paying the lunch reduced co-pay ($.40) for those students in grades K-3.
All meals meet federal nutrition guidelines. Students who are identified as disabled by their doctor may need different foods. These substitute foods will be made available at no extra charge. If your child needs a food substitution, please contact Nutrition Services at 354-7270.
To apply for free or reduced-price meals complete ONE of the following:
· Use the free and reduced meal application which is enclosed and return to your local school or to Nutrition Services at 200 N. Bernard, Spokane, WA 99201
Free of Low-Cost Heath Insurance
If you would like free or low-cost health insurance for your children, please check the box next to “Free or Reduced Cost Health Coverage” in Part 4 – Other Benefits of the free and reduced meal application.
You can also request information or an application for free or reduced cost health coverage by calling toll free 1-877-543-7669 or logging onto www.parenthelp123.org. The health coverage includes doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital, dental care, eyeglasses and more. Even if your children have private coverage, they may still be eligible for assistance with the monthly premium, co-pays or deductibles. Call or log-on today to receive more information.
DSHS Direct Certification
DSHS will download the names of all children age birth to 20 into the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS). Information will include the child’s first name, last name, middle initial, and date of birth. Upon receipt of this information, OSPI will match student names against the DSHS file and then make the “match” data available to each district via the Internet. Students will automatically qualify for free meals if their schools participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs. Households that do not want their child(ren) to participate in the free meal program should notify Nutrition Services at 354-7270.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can get free or reduced-price meals?
Children in households getting Basic Food, FDPIR or TANF and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, if your household income is within the limits on the federal income guidelines, your children can get free or reduced-price meals.
2. Will the information I give be checked?
Yes, we may ask you to send written proof of the information you give.
3. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply again later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year. If you should have a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, or become unemployed, or receive Basic Food, TANF, or FDPIR, you may be eligible for benefits and may fill out an application at that time.
4. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free meals? Please read the letter you got carefully and check the expiration date. Call Nutrition Services at 354-7270 if you have any questions.
5. I get State medical insurance. Can my children get free meals?
Children in households participating in the state insurance program may be eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Please fill out an application.
6. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced priced meals.
7. Who should I include as members of my household?
You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children living with you.
8. What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes.
9. We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income?
If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.
10. My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is his/her combat pay counted as income?
No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic pay because of her deployment and it wasn’t received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income.
11. My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out how to apply for state benefits, go on-line to https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/onlineapp/ or call your local Department of Social and Health Services office at 1-877-501-2233.
12. What if I disagree with Nutrition Services’ decision about my application?
Please call Nutrition Services’ officials for qualification at 354-7270. You may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing to Wendy Bleeker, Director, Student Services, 200 N. Bernard, Spokane, WA 99201, 509-354-7248.
If you have questions or need help, please call 354-7270.
Sincerely,
Douglas R. Wordell, R.D.
Director, Nutrition Services
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING
A household member is any child or adult living with you.
| If you are applying for a foster child, follow these instructions: (You must fill out a separate application for each foster child) |
Part 1: List the child’s name, school id # (if known), date of birth, school name, grade, income and income frequency. Only one foster child per application.
Part 2: Skip
Part 3: Skip
Part 4: Optional
Part 5: Optional
Part 5: Complete this section and sign the form. Social Security number is not necessary.
| If your household receives TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), FDPIR (The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), or Basic Food benefits follow these instructions: |
Part 1: Skip
Part 2: List each child’s name, school id # (if known), date of birth, grade, and school name; fill in bubble for (B)asic Food, (T)ANF or (F)DPIR and case number.
Part 3: Skip
Part 4: Optional
Part 5: Optional
Part 6: Complete this section and sign the form. Social Security number is not necessary.
| All other households, including households who ONLY receive state insurance benefits, follow these instructions: |
Part 1: Skip
Part 2: List each child’s name, school id # (if known), date of birth, grade, and school.
Part 3: Follow these instructions to report total household income from last month.
§ Column 1 – Names: List the first and last name of each person living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives or friends). You must include yourself plus ALLchildren in Part 2. Attach another sheet of paper if needed.
§ Column 2 – Check “No Income” for each household member who is not receiving income.
§ Column 3-5 – List the gross income each person earned last month and bubble in the frequency. For example, if you earn $500 every two weeks, you would put $500 in the dollar amount and bubble in bi-weekly. Gross income is the amount earned before taxes and deductions. It should be listed on your pay stub, or your boss can tell you. List any additional income in the appropriate column.
§ Column 6 - Other Income: List the total amount each person received last month from all other sources including strike benefits, regular contributions from people who do not live in your household, Worker’s Compensation, unemployment or any other income. Report net income for self-owned business, farm, or rental income.
Part 4: Optional
Part 5: Optional
Part 6: Complete this section and sign the form. An adult household member must sign the form and list his or her Social Security number (not required for foster or case # application), or place check next to the “do not have social security number” statement.
|
INCOME CHART
Effective From July 1, 2010 to Unknown at this time but no later than June 30, 2011
These income guidelines are subject to change during the school year |
|
Household Size |
Yearly Income |
Monthly Income |
Twice Per Month |
Every Two
Weeks |
Weekly Income |
|
1 |
$20,036 |
$1,670 |
$ 835 |
$ 771 |
$ 386 |
|
2 |
$26,955 |
$2,247 |
$1,124 |
$1,037 |
$ 519 |
|
3 |
$33,874 |
$2,823 |
$1,412 |
$1,303 |
$ 652 |
|
4 |
$40,793 |
$3,400 |
$1,700 |
$1,569 |
$ 785 |
|
5 |
$47,712 |
$3,976 |
$1,988 |
$1,836 |
$ 918 |
|
6 |
$54,631 |
$4,553 |
$2,277 |
$2,102 |
$1,051 |
|
7 |
$61,550 |
$5,130 |
$2,565 |
$2,368 |
$1,184 |
|
8 |
$68,469 |
$5,706 |
$2,853 |
$2,634 |
$1,317 |
|
Each Additional Member Add: |
+ $6,919 |
+ $577 |
+$289 |
+$267 |
+ $134 |
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. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 or (202)720-6382 (TDD).l USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
*Privacy Act Statement: National School Lunch Act (Section 9) - requires that, unless your child's Basic Food, TANF, or FDPIR case number is provided, you must include the social security number of the adult household member signing the application or indicate that the household member signing the application does not have a social security number. Provision of a social security number is not mandatory, but if a social security number is not given or an indication is not made that the signer does not have such a number, the application cannot be approved. The social security number may be used to identify the household member in carrying out efforts to verify the correctness of information stated on the application. These verification efforts may be carried out through program reviews, audits, and investigations and may include contacting employers to determine income, benefits, contacting the State employment security office to determine the amount of benefits received and checking the documentation produced by household members to prove the amount of income received. These efforts may result in a loss or reduction of benefits, administrative claims or legal actions if incorrect information is reported.
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Nutrition Services
