NEWS RELEASES 2008-09
NEWS RELEASES 2008-09USDA RELEASES 2008-09 POLICY ON FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
USDA Releases 2008-09 Policy on Free and Reduced-Price Meals; National School Lunch Program Ensures Students Have Access to Nutritious Diet
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction today announced the 2008-09 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy on free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in the state’s public schools. The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to a nutritious diet.
"Research indicates that eating habits affect student performance and health," State Superintendent June Atkinson said. "Children who are hungry have difficulty concentrating and do not perform as well in the classroom as students who are well-nourished." The Child Nutrition Program offers students an affordable, high quality, nutritious breakfast, lunch and after school snack.
The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 are as follows:
| HOUSE-HOLD SIZE | Federal Poverty Guide-lines | Reduced-Price Meals | Free Meals | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Income | Annual Income | Month-ly In-come |
In- come Twice Per Month |
In- come Every Two Weeks |
Week-ly In- come |
Annual In-come | Month-ly In- come |
In- come Twice Per Month |
In- come Every Two Weeks |
We-ekly In- come | |
| 1 | 10,400 | 19,240 | 1,604 | 802 | 740 | 370 | 13,520 | 1,127 | 564 | 520 | 260 |
| 2 | 14,000 | 25,900 | 2,159 | 1,080 | 997 | 499 | 18,200 | 1,517 | 759 | 700 | 350 |
| 3 | 17,600 | 32,560 | 2,714 | 1,357 | 1,253 | 627 | 22,880 | 1,907 | 954 | 880 | 440 |
| 4 | 21,200 | 39,220 | 3,269 | 1,635 | 1,509 | 755 | 27,560 | 2,297 | 1,149 | 1,060 | 530 |
| 5 | 24,800 | 45,880 | 3,824 | 1,912 | 1,765 | 883 | 32,240 | 2,687 | 1,344 | 1,240 | 620 |
| 6 | 28,400 | 52,540 | 4,379 | 2,190 | 2.021 | 1,011 | 36,920 | 3,077 | 1,539 | 1,420 | 710 |
| 7 | 32,000 | 59,200 | 4,934 | 2,467 | 2,277 | 1,139 | 41,600 | 3,467 | 1,734 | 1,600 | 800 |
| 8 | 35,600 | 65,860 | 5,489 | 2,745 | 2,534 | 1,267 | 46,280 | 3,857 | 1,929 | 1,780 | 890 |
| For each additional family member, add | 3,600 | 6,660 | 555 | 278 | 257 | 129 | 4,680 | 390 | 195 | 180 | 90 |
The household size and income criteria identified above will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive Food Stamp or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible for free meals. Food Stamp/TANF families will be certified by the determining official by Direct Certification. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court also may 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 are being made available to all households. Applications also are available in the principal's office at each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school or to the Child Nutrition Office within the school district. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the Child Nutrition Director in each school district will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may discuss the decision with the determining 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 the school district.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.
A list of some of the most frequently asked questions and corresponding answers is available on the NCDPI Child Nutrition Services Web site. For more information, please contact the child nutrition services director in the school district in which your child is enrolled or contact the NCDPI Communications division at 919.807.3450.
About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 107 charter schools serving over 1.4 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.
For more information:
NCDPI Communications and Information, 919.807.3450.