Free Lunch Eligibility
Dear Parents:
Woodward Children’s Center will begin to participate in the New York State Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program. Children need healthy meals to learn. Woodward Children’s Center offers healthy meals every school day. Lunch costs $2.00 per day. Children from households that meet Federal income guidelines (outlined below) are eligible for free meals or reduced price meals. Reduced price meals cost each eligible student $.25 for lunch. To apply for free or reduced price meals, submit a Direct Certification letter from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance OR complete the enclosed application, sign it, and return it to Woodward Children’s Center as soon as possible. Please refer to the guidelines contained in this letter when completing the application. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information.
How to Apply: To get free or reduced price meals for your children you may submit a Direct Certification letter received from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, OR carefully complete the application and return it to the school. If you now receive food stamps, or Aid to Dependent Children (ADC)/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) for any children, or participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the application must include the children’s names, the household food stamp, ADC/TANF or FDPIR number and the signature of an adult household member. All children with the same case number may be listed on the same application. Separate applications are required for children with different case numbers. If you do not list a food stamp/ADC/TANF or FDPIR number for all the children for whom you are applying, the application must include the names of everyone in the household, the amount of income each household member, and how often it is received and where it comes from. It must include the signature of an adult household member and that adult’s
social security number, or the word “none” if the adult does not have a social security number. An application that is not complete cannot be approved. Contact your local Department of Social Services for your food stamp or TANF number or complete the income portion of the application.
Income Chart: The following chart lists income levels according to household size and income levels received either yearly, monthly or weekly. If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below, your children can get reduced price meals, and may be eligible to receive free meals.
Click chart for larger image
Verification: It is Woodward Children’s Center’s policy to verify the information on each application. It is necessary for you to submit proof of income to Woodward Children’s Center with your application for Free or Reduced Price Lunch. This proof must include copies of your Federal and New York State Income Tax Returns for the year, pay stubs, and verification of any other income that you may list. The copies must be submitted with your application to Woodward Children’s Center for your application to be considered complete for review.
The school may ask you at any time during the school year to re-verify your eligibility. You will be notified, in writing, if you have been selected for Re-verification. School officials may ask you again to send papers showing that your child should receive free or reduce price meals.
Changes : If you list income information and your child is approved for meal benefits, you must tell the school when your household income increases by more than $50 per month, $600 per year, or when your household size decreases. If you list a food stamp case number, ADC/TANF or FDPIR number, you must tell the school when you no longer receive food stamps or ADC/TANF for your child or you no longer participate in the FDPIR. You may then fill out another application giving income information.
Income Exclusions: The value of any child care provided or arranged, or any amount received as payment for such child care or reimbursement for costs incurred for such care under the Child Care Development (Block Grant) Fund should not be considered as income for this program.
Foster Child: Your foster child may be eligible for meal benefits. An application for a foster child must have the child’s name, the child’s personal use income and an adult signature. If you have questions contact the school for help with the application.
Nondiscrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. 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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W,
Fair Hearing: If you do not agree with the school’s decision on your application or the result of verification, you may wish to discuss it with the school. You also have the right to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling or writing the following official:
Hearing Officer: Ms. Miriam Ramirez, Executive Assistant
Woodward Children’s Center
(516) 379-0900
Meal Service to Children With Disabilities: Federal regulations require schools and institutions to serve meals at no extra charge to children with a disability which may restrict their diet. A student with a disability is defined in 7CFR Part 15b.3 of Federal regulations, as one who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities are defined to include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. You must request the special meals from the school and
provide the school with medical certification from a medical doctor. If you believe your child needs substitutions because of a disability, please get in
touch with us for further information, as there is specific information that the medical certification must contain.
Confidentiality: The United States Department of Agriculture has approved the release of students names and eligibility status, without parent/guardian consent, to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of federal education programs such as Title I and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which are United States Department of Education programs used to determine areas such as the allocation of funds to schools, to evaluate socioeconomic status of the school’s attendance area, and to assess educational progress. Information may also be released to State health or State education programs administered by the State agency or local education agency, provided the State or local education agency administers the program, and federal State or local nutrition programs similar to the National School Lunch Program. Additionally, all information contained in the free and reduced price application may be released to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) or Child Nutrition Act (CNA); including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, the Special Milk Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC); the Comptroller General of the United States for audit purposes, and federal, State or local law enforcement officials investigating alleged violation of the programs under the NSLA or CNA.
The disclosure of eligibility information not specifically authorized by the NSLA requires a written consent statement from the parent/guardian.
Reapplication: You may apply for benefits any time during the school year. Also, if you are not eligible now, but during the school year become unemployed, have a decrease in household income, or an increase in family size you may request and complete an application at that time.
As this program begins, Woodward Children’s Center will no longer be providing any free lunches to children who forget their lunch money or claim they cannot afford to pay for lunch. There will no longer be free peanut butter and jelly or cheese sandwiches provided. If you are unable to pay for your child’s lunch you must submit a completed application and the required documentation and receive approval for a free or reduced price lunch. Children who do not qualify for a free or reduced price lunch must either bring lunch
for home or pay $2.00 per day. It is best to send one or several weeks’ lunch money in advance and an account will be kept for your child. If a child forgets lunch or lunch money we will advance lunch for one day, but that lunch must be paid for the next day.
Please complete and send the application and copies of your income tax returns, pay stubs, etc. as soon as possible. If you need assistance in completing the application please call your child’s Woodward Children’s Center social work-therapist. Free or reduced price lunch will not start for your child until the application is approved. We will let you know when your application is approved or denied. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Paul Lomtevas
Executive Director
Woodward Children’s Center
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY FOR FREE OR REDUCED PRICE LUNCH FOR YOUR CHILD AT WOODWARD
- If your child/family already has been approved for free lunch through a Direct Certification Letter from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance JUST complete SECTION 3 of the application, sign and complete Section 5 at the bottom. Send the Direct Certification Letter and the application to Woodward Children’s Center.
- If your child is a FOSTER CHILD, your child will be approved for free lunch. JUST complete SECTION 1 of the application and sign and complete Section 5 at the bottom. Send the application to Woodward Children’s Center.
- If you are not eligible through # 1 or # 2 above, complete the application with full income information. Sign and return the application to Woodward Children’s Center. You must give Woodward Children’s Center copies of your Federal Income Tax Return for the past year, your New York State Tax Return for the past year, all current pay stubs for all family members, SSI Income notification letter and any other income documents to verify the information on the application.
A letter from the school district or NY State Education Child Nutrition Program stating that the child is eligible for Free Lunch can also be submitted. Please send us a copy if you have the letter for school year 2007 – 2008.
AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE YOUR COMPLETE APPLICATION AND ALL DOCUMENTS WE WILL REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION AND APPROVE OR DENY FREE OR REDUCED PRICE LUNCH FOR YOUR CHILD. YOUR CHILD WILL BEGIN TO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED PRICE LUNCH ON THE NEXT DAY OR SOONER AFTER APPROVAL.
You may appeal our decision as outlined on the accompanying letter.
Note: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) is not SSI or SS Benefits. SSI or SS Benefits are considered income, please submit your SSI income letter to apply for reduced or free lunch.
Woodward Children’s Center
INSTRCCIONES PARA APLICAR
GRATIS ó
- Si su hijo/a ha sido aprovado de antemano por medio del programa de almuerzo gratis de su distrito escolar con una carta de certificación de la oficina de Temporary and Disability Assistance (Oficina de Assitencia Temporaria), solamente complete la SECCION 3 y la SECCION 5 en la parte de abajo de la applicación y firmela. Regrese la aplicación con una copia de la carta de certificación a la escuela de Woodward Children’s Center.
- Si su niño/a es un FOSTER CHILD, este será approvado para el programa de almuerzo gratis, sólo complete la SECCION 2 y la SECCION 5 en la parte de abajo de la aplicación y firmela. Regrese la applicación a Woodward Children’s Center.
- Si usted no cae entre las categories #1 y #2 antes mencionadas, complete la aplicación y provea datos de ingresos al hogar. Firmela y regrese la aplicación a Woodward Children’s Center. Usted deberá proveer copia de sus INGRESOS AL HOGAR – TAXES (Federal Income Tax). También debe proveer una copia de el último talonario de su cheque y de las personas que traén ingresos a su hogar, también debe de proveer copia de cualquier otro ingreso al hogar.
Tan pronto nosotros recivamos su aplicación y todos los documentos requeridos, procederemos a revisarla y aprovaremos ó negaremos su solicitud para el programa de almuerzo gratis ó reducido para su hijo/a. Su hijo/a empezará a recibir estos servicios al siguiente día ó tan pronto su solicitud sea procesada.
Usted puede requerir que su solicitud sea revisida si es negado de los servicios de almuerzo gratis.
Nota: El programa de “Temporary Assistance to Needy Families” (TANF) no es el programa de SSI or Beneficios
IMPORTANT
Parent/Guardians:
If your child has been receiving FREE or REDUCED lunch benefits these benefits will expire on August 31, 2007.
You MUST re-apply for FREE or REDUCED lunch for school year 2007-2008, first day of school for the children
Remember to send copy of your tax forms, pay stubs and other income that you receive. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to Miriam at (516) 379-0900.
IMPORTANTE
Padre/Guardian:
Si su hijo/a ha estado recibiendo almuerzo GRATIS ó REDUCIDO estos beneficios expirán el 31 de agosto
Usted DEBE de re-aplicar para almuerzo GRATIS ó REDUCIDO para el año escolar 2007-2008, primer día de clases para su hijo/a es el lunes, 17 de septiembre del 2007. Si usted no re-aplica, el costo diaro de el almuerzo es de $ 2.00 diario.
Al re-aplicar debe de mandar copias de sus taxes, talonarios de pagos ó cualesquier otro ingreso que usted recibe. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, puede llamar a Miriam al (516) 379-0900.
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