District/School Administration PK-16 Program Support
Nutrition, Health and Safety

SY 2011-12 Free or Reduced Price Meal Applications

Attached are the updated prototype materials for households applying for free or reduced price meals in the School Nutrition Programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the child nutrition federal reauthorization law, made several changes to eligibility. Based on input from several sources, we have designed a Massachusetts Family Household application that streamlines the application and instructions. USDA application packages are available in multiple languages at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm. This package includes forms and letters for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions to use in the certification and verification processes.

The major changes are:

• Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits. An application is not needed yet there does need to be documentation of status by a state or local entity familiar with the child's status.
• Foster children may be included in the household application as part of the household size.
• The last four digits of the social security number for the adult signing the application needs to be listed rather than the entire social security number. The need to collect additional adult social security numbers as part of the verification process has been eliminated.
• The instructions on the application and on the verification letter to reflect the time period to report/document income has been reworded.

Please note that the prototype application and letter to parents includes the reduced price income eligibility guidelines chart. The 2011-12 Income Eligibility Guidelines for determining eligibility for free or reduced price meals have been issued.

Just a reminder that applications may be printed now, however, according to the Eligibility Manual for School Meals, page 7, "LEAs should send out the letter to parents no earlier than four (4) calendar weeks prior to the time students start school. Letters cannot be sent home at the end of the school year for the next year nor can the LEA begin accepting and processing applications before the beginning of the federally defined school year."

The packet also has additional documents for the meal benefit eligibility and verification process. There is a document related to the sharing of meal eligibility status with other programs. The sharing of information may be done for specific programs, local programs that are not covered by the federal/state education program as authorized by law, as long as the program is identified on the release form. Individual programs must be listed and have the parent/guardian's signature prior to the release of any information. Additional information can be found in The Meal Eligibility Guidance Book located on the Internet at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Guidance/. (USDA will be updating the Eligibility Manual for School Meals prior to the next school year.)

A flyer to be reproduced and distributed to households with information on the Child Health Insurance Program is a separate attachment as is the meal benefit notification letter and the hearing procedure. Income Guidelines are a separate document.

During the upcoming summer, direct certification for school year 2011-2012 will be posted for most districts on the Department's website and accessed through the security portal. Some districts will be piloting a new system for direct certification. Throughout school year 2011-12, all districts will be transitioning to a new system for direct certification. Additional information will be sent as the pilot program completes the new process. In collaboration with district technology staff, districts are able to access and certify children eligible for free meals. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call Nutrition staff at 781-338-6494.

Enclosures

  

School Meals Income Eligibility Application Package 2012