Free, reduced price meals offered for eligible students

Free and reduced lunch and breakfast applications will be available at the district’s Food Service Office at the Pasadena ISD Administration Building on Monday August 10. Applications will also be available at the schools on the day of pre-registration. Applications may also be entered online for processing through a link on the Child Nutrition Services website starting August 10.

Pasadena Independent School District announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. Each school or Child Nutrition Services has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria identified will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child’s income.

Application forms will be distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children. Applications also are available at the principal’s office in each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to Child Nutrition Services at 1515 Cherrybrook, Suite C-114. Applications may be submitted at anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly Food Stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) only have to list their child’s name and food stamp or TANF case number. An adult household member must sign the application.

Households that do not list a SNAP or TANF case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member and the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate that a Social Security number is not available by writing the word “None,” “No Number,” or check the box on the application indicating that the person does not have a Social Security number. The application must be signed by an adult household member.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the Director of Child Nutrition Services will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Associate Superintendent for Finance, 1515 Cherrybrook, Pasadena, Texas, 77502, 713-740-0097.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact Child Nutrition Services. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown on the attached income criteria.

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 Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 or (202)720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For more information, contact Blanca Banda at  713-740-0146.

Federal Income Chart for School Year 2009-2010

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