Free and Reduced Price Meal
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
(SENT TO WESTERN NEW YORK CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER, 795 MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NY 14203; NEW YORK STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE, 284 MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202)
(SENT TO WESTERN NEW YORK CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER, 795 MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NY 14203; NEW YORK STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE, 284 MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202)
The Department of Catholic Education-Diocese of Buffalo today announced a Free and Reduced Price Meal (Free Milk) policy for the Catholic schools listed.
Food Stamp/TANF/FDPIR Households: Households which currently include children who receive Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) must complete an application listing the child’s name, a food stamp, TANF, or FDRIR number and the signature of an adult household member, or provide a Direct Certification letter from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Children in the household with the same case number may be included on the same application. Separate applications are required for children in the same household with different case numbers. If the family does not list a food stamp, TANF, or FDPIR number for all children for whom they are applying, then the application must contain all the information as required for “other households” as describe below.
Other Households: Households with incomes the same or below the amount of money listed above for their family size may be eligible for and are urged to apply for free and/or reduced price meals (or free milk). They may do so by filling in the application forms sent home with a letter to parents. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year to the cafeteria manager in the particular listed school.
The information provided on the application will be confidential and will be used for determining eligibility. The names and eligibility status of participants may also be used for the allocation of funds to federal education programs such as Title I and National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), State health or Stated education programs, provided the State agency or local education agency administers the programs, and for federal, State or local means - tested nutrition programs with eligibility standards comparable to the NSLP. Eligibility information may also be released to programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) or the Child Nutrition Act (CAN). The release of information to any program or entity not specifically authorized by the NSLA will require a written consent statement from the parent or guardian.
The school district does, however, have the right to verify at any time during the school year the information on the application. If a parent does not give the school this information, the child/children will no longer be able to receive free or reduced price meals (free milk).
Foster children may also be eligible for these benefits. An application for a foster child must contain the child’s name, the child’s “personal use” income and an adult signature.
Under the provisions of the policy, the designated official will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the designated official, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing to appeal the decision. The principal of each school has been designated as the Hearing Official for their school.
Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. However, prior to initiating the hearing procedures, the parent or School Food Authority may request a conference to provide an opportunity for the parent and official to discuss the situation, present information, and obtain an explanation of the data submitted in the application or the decisions rendered. The request for a conference shall not in any way prejudice or diminish the right to a fair hearing.
Only complete applications can be approved. This includes complete and accurate information regarding: the Food Stamp, TANF, or FDPIR number; the names of all household members; the social security number of the person who signs the form or an indication that the adult does not have one; and the amount and source of income received by each household member. In addition, the parent or guardian must sign the application form, certifying the information is true and correct.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
A complete copy of this policy is on file in the office of the School Food Authority District Administrator where it may be reviewed by an interested person.
Food Stamp/TANF/FDPIR Households: Households which currently include children who receive Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) must complete an application listing the child’s name, a food stamp, TANF, or FDRIR number and the signature of an adult household member, or provide a Direct Certification letter from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Children in the household with the same case number may be included on the same application. Separate applications are required for children in the same household with different case numbers. If the family does not list a food stamp, TANF, or FDPIR number for all children for whom they are applying, then the application must contain all the information as required for “other households” as describe below.
Other Households: Households with incomes the same or below the amount of money listed above for their family size may be eligible for and are urged to apply for free and/or reduced price meals (or free milk). They may do so by filling in the application forms sent home with a letter to parents. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year to the cafeteria manager in the particular listed school.
The information provided on the application will be confidential and will be used for determining eligibility. The names and eligibility status of participants may also be used for the allocation of funds to federal education programs such as Title I and National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), State health or Stated education programs, provided the State agency or local education agency administers the programs, and for federal, State or local means - tested nutrition programs with eligibility standards comparable to the NSLP. Eligibility information may also be released to programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) or the Child Nutrition Act (CAN). The release of information to any program or entity not specifically authorized by the NSLA will require a written consent statement from the parent or guardian.
The school district does, however, have the right to verify at any time during the school year the information on the application. If a parent does not give the school this information, the child/children will no longer be able to receive free or reduced price meals (free milk).
Foster children may also be eligible for these benefits. An application for a foster child must contain the child’s name, the child’s “personal use” income and an adult signature.
Under the provisions of the policy, the designated official will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the designated official, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing to appeal the decision. The principal of each school has been designated as the Hearing Official for their school.
Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. However, prior to initiating the hearing procedures, the parent or School Food Authority may request a conference to provide an opportunity for the parent and official to discuss the situation, present information, and obtain an explanation of the data submitted in the application or the decisions rendered. The request for a conference shall not in any way prejudice or diminish the right to a fair hearing.
Only complete applications can be approved. This includes complete and accurate information regarding: the Food Stamp, TANF, or FDPIR number; the names of all household members; the social security number of the person who signs the form or an indication that the adult does not have one; and the amount and source of income received by each household member. In addition, the parent or guardian must sign the application form, certifying the information is true and correct.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
A complete copy of this policy is on file in the office of the School Food Authority District Administrator where it may be reviewed by an interested person.