1 Aug 2005
Application Forms for Free & Reduced-Priced Meals to be Distributed on Aug. 15
DALLAS—Students who will attend schools in the Dallas Independent School District for the 2005-2006 school year may apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Meal application forms will be distributed to all children on the opening day of school, Monday, Aug. 15, along with a letter of explanation to households.
New This Year! Only One Meal Application Needed Per Household
Only one multi-child application is all that is required for all children in a household regardless of children attending different schools. As an example, three children may reside in one household. One attends an elementary school, one a middle school, and one a high school. Last year the household was required to submit three meal applications, one for each school. This school year, only one application is needed for all three children and it may be submitted to the cafeteria at any one of the three schools.
Information on the meal application must be printed legibly in the blocks so that it can be scanned for computer imaging. This expedites the process and improves accuracy in eligibility determination.
Meal Prices Remain the Same
Prices for breakfast and lunch remain the same as the previous school year. Students in grades PreK-12 may buy breakfast for 75 cents and lunch for $1.25. Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Those students who qualify for reduced-price meals will pay only 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. Breakfast choices consist of milk, fruit or juice, and one other item. Lunch choices consist of an entrée, two side dishes, and milk. A variety of choices will be available daily.
Automated System Makes Prepayment Easy
All DISD school cafeterias have an automated point of sale system. This allows parents and students to prepay or place money on the student's account to make it easier and more convenient to purchase meals. Money placed on a student's account will follow the student's permanent student identification number. Therefore, if a student changes schools within the district, there's no need to submit additional paperwork.
Requirement When Reporting Income
Households that do not list a food stamp or TANF case number must list the names of all household members including the amount and frequency of income for each person. If a person listed does not earn income, this must be indicated by selecting the "no income" box. An adult household member must sign the application and list their social security number. If the signer does not have a social security number, the box indicating no social security number must be checked.
Foster Children
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 and must be listed on a separate application. An adult household member must sign the application.
Food Stamp/TANF Recipients
Households receiving food stamps or TANF only have to list their child's name and food stamp or TANF case number. An adult household member must sign the application.
Meal Eligibility Determination
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, school cafeteria supervisors/AA designees 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 who wish to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Dora Rivas, Division Manager, 8900 Old Hickory Trail, Dallas, Texas 75237. Food and Child Nutrition Services can be reached at (214) 932-5500.
Families will be notified of the eligibility of their children once a meal application has been submitted. In some cases, households will receive letters stating their household is predetermined as eligible for free meals based on "direct certification" from the state or a family identified by migrant status from the local migrant office.
*See attachment of 2005-2006 Income Eligibility Guidelines.