East Meadow announces free/reduced lunch policy

Officials in the East Meadow School District recently announced its eligibility criteria for students in need of a free or reduced lunch.

Households with children who receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but who are not found during the Direct Certification Matching Process, or households that receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations must complete an application listing the child's name, a valid SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number and the signature of an adult household member. Eligibility for free meal benefits based on participation in SNAP, TANF or FDPIR is extended to all children in the household. When known to the School Food Authority, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free meals based on their participation in the SNAP, TANF or the FDPIR programs. No application is necessary if the household was notified by the SFA their children have been directly certified. If the household is not sure if their children have been directly certified, the household should contact the school.

When known to the School Food Authority, households will be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals based on the child’s designation as Other Source Categorically Eligible, as defined by law. Children are determined Other Source Categorically Eligible if they are homeless, migrant, runaway, a foster child or enrolled in a head start or an eligible pre-kindergarten program.

If children or households receive benefits under assistance programs or other source categorically eligible programs and are not listed on the notice of eligibility and are not notified by the School Food Authority of their free meal benefits, the parent or guardian should contact the school or should submit an income application.

Households eligible for free meals could apply at any time during the school year by completing the application sent home with a letter to district parents. One application for all children in the household should be submitted. Additional copies are available at the principal's office in each school. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year to Christine Bauer at W.T. Clarke High School. Please contact her at (516) 876-7439 with any questions regarding the application process.

Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the School Food Authority if they choose to decline the free meal benefits.

Children of parents or guardians who become unemployed or experience a financial hardship mid-year may become eligible for free and reduced price meals at any point during the school year.

For up to 30 operating days into the new school year (or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first) an individual child’s free or reduced price eligibility status from the previous year will continue within the same SFA. When the carryover period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the children’s meals must be claimed at the paid rate. Though encouraged to do so, the SFA is not required to send a reminder or a notice of expired eligibility.

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 Educational Progress, state health or state 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 or the Child Nutrition Act. 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 Food Authority 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.

Foster children are eligible for free meal benefits. A separate application for a foster child is no longer necessary. Foster children may be listed on the application as a member of the family where they reside. Applications must include the foster child's name and personal use income.

Under the provisions of the policy, the designated official will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the designated official may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing to appeal the decision. Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. However, prior to initiating the hearing procedure, 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 SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number; the names of all household members; on an income application, the last four digits of 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. 

—Brian Stieglitz