20 Jul 2006
Only One Application Is Needed for All Children in a Household
DALLAS—Students attending schools in the Dallas Independent School District for the 2006-2007 school year may apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Classes in the district begin August 14.
Meal application forms will be distributed to all children on the opening day of school, along with a letter of explanation to households.
Submit Only One Meal Application per Household
Only one multi-child application is required for all children in the 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. Therefore, 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 helps improve accuracy in eligibility determination.
Prices for Student Meals 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. 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 main item. Lunch choices consist of an entrée, three side dishes, and milk. A variety of choices will be available daily.
New Online 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 meal account. DISD is now offering automated prepayments to your child's school accounts via the telephone or Internet. Simply dial or log on and use a credit card to fund the account. For more information, look for the informational flyer attached to the meal application. 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, the money follows the student.
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, each household's meal application will be reviewed for determination of meal 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 wishing 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. The telephone to Food and Child Nutrition Services is 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.
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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.