Free/Reduced Application and Instructions

What measures can I take to expedite my free and reduced price applications approval?

• Use BLACK ink
• Print Clearly
• Use your student’s name as it appears on their Birth Certificate
• List student’s date of birth, grade, and school
• List student’s income or mark the “no income box”
• If applicable list 8 or 9 digit SNAP or TANF number
• List all Other Household Members and their income and how often money is received. If there’s no income mark the “no income box”
• Fill in last 4 numbers of Social Security Number of the signer or mark “NONE” SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED for the signer
• Foster Child(ren) may be included with foster family application. Please mark the appropriate box.
• Please list the child’s “personal use” money or mark the “no income” box List total household members in correct area

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST HAVE THE ABOVE INFORMATION LISTED OR IT WILL BE RETURNED TO APPLICANT

Do I need to fill out an application for each child?

No. Complete one application for all students in your household. You must reapply every school year. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to the schools front office, School Kitchen Manager or mail (1910 High School Rd, Jackson, WY, 83001 and please include  “attention:Food Services” if using an envelope).

Who can receive free meals?

There are several ways that your child(ren) may be eligible for meals free of charge: Your child may get free meals if your household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.

Another way is through “categorical eligibility”. If one member of your household is currently receiving assistance (benefits) from one of the following Programs: TANF, SNAP or FDPIR all children in the household are eligible for free meals. (Remember, a household is defined as “a group of related or non-related individuals, who are not residents of an institution or boarding house, but who are living as one economic unit)”. Direct Certification Letters are sent by the Student Nutrition department to the homes of these pre- approved students.

Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?

Yes. Other categorically eligible children are those who meet the definition of “migrant, homeless, or runaway”, or who are enrolled in a federally-funded Head Start Center. If you are homeless, runaway, or migrant child, please contact the Homeless or Migrant coordinators. We usually receive documentation for these children from official sources, but if you know of any, please contact Food Services at (307) 732-3757

I received a letter saying my children are approved for free or reduced-price meals for this school year. Should I fill out an application?

All meal applications MUST be renewed every new school year. Please carefully read the letter you received and follow the instructions. Call the Food Services. at (307)-732-3757 if you have questions. If you received a letter of the current school year, then NO, you do not need to fill out a new application. (Just make sure that all of your students are listed on the letter as being eligible.)

Who can receive Reduced-priced meals?

Your child may receive low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced-price limits on the Eligibility Guidelines. Please fill out an application and return to the School Cafeteria or administration office 

Will the information I give be checked?

Yes, we may ask you to send written proof of the information you give. 3% of all error prone applications approved will be verified.

If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?

You may apply at any time during the current school year.

What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?

If you don’t agree with the District’s decision regarding your application or the result of verification, you may discuss it with the Food Service Department by calling (307) 732-3757 

May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?

Yes! You or your child does not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify your child to receive free or reduced-price meals.

Who should I include as members of my household?

Include yourself, all children (school age and younger) who live with you and all other people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). Be sure to include any income they receive.

What if my income is not always the same?

Please contact the Student Nutrition Services Dept for further instructions. Normally you will list the amount that you receive BEFORE deductions. For example, if you normally receive $1,ooo each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1,000 per month. If you are paid for overtime, include it, but not if you receive it occasionally. If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

What income do I include?

All household members’ gross income must be listed from all jobs. Gross income is not the same as take home pay. Gross income is the amount earned before taxes and deductions. It should be listed on your check or your boss can tell you. Income includes monthly wages, tips before taxes, welfare, child support, alimony, pensions, retirement, Social Security, Worker’s Compensation, unemployment benefits, strike benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veteran’s benefits (VA benefits), disability benefits, regular contributions from people who do not live in your household and ANY OTHER INCOME. Report net income for self-owned business, farm or rental income. Please list how often you receive this income; monthly (M), weekly (W), twice monthly (2M) or every two weeks (2W).

Are applications available in other languages?

Applications are available in English and Spanish. Applications are also available in other languages, if needed.

Why do you list All Other Household Members?

The consideration for approval of an application is based on income and the number of household members. Therefore, it is required to list all members of the household.

Why do I need to fill out my Social Security Number and sign the application?

These two sections are required fields and it is very important that these sections be completed. If this information is not complete, the application will be incomplete and returned to the applicant. If your last four social security numbers are not filled in, you must check the box “No SSN”

If I have more than one student going to school at TCSD#1 Do I need to fill out multiple applications?

No, only complete ONE APPLICATION PER FAMILY.

If I have a student living at home that goes to a private school, charter school or Pre- K school, should I include them on the application?

Yes, include them as Other Household Members at the bottom section of application and any income they receive.

What are the prices for breakfast and lunch?

• Elementary Lunch is 4.50$  

• Elementary Breakfast is 3.00$

• Middle School Lunch is 5.00$

• Middle School Breakfast is 3.00$

• High School Lunch is 5.50$

• High School Breakfast is 3.00$

• Addition 2.00$ for secondary meals (more that one complete meal taken)

• Separate charges for A La Carte snacks or random meal components chosen

• Milk a la carte is  .65 cents

• Reduced breakfast is .30 cents

• Reduced lunch is .40 cents

When will my student’s application be approved?

Please allow 10 working days. You will need to send money until your student’s application is approved. Those students who attended school TCSD last school year and were approved for free or reduced-price meals will have the same eligibility ONLY for the first 30 days of school. You must re-apply in order to receive meal benefits after the first 30 days.

How do I pay for my student’s meals?

You need to send money with your child until you have received notice that your child qualifies for Free meals. You  may also pre-pay your child’s meals using an online payment system called myschoolbucks. Click here for online payment method and sign up free! We also accept cash or checks. If paying with a check, make payable to TCSD Food Services.

Direct Certification

What is Direct Certification?

Under direct certification, school districts use information from Texas Health and Human Services to certify children to receive free meals. To qualify, the children’s families must receive assistance from Food Stamps, TANF, SNAP, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or other qualified Federal/State programs.

How do you know if your Student is Direct Certified?

Direct Certification Letters are sent to the homes of pre-approved students.

If one student is Direct Certified, in a household, are the remaining students also Direct Certified?

Yes. If the letter you received doesn’t have all your children listed, please call the Food Service Dept. at (307) 732-3757

  

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT: This explains how we will use the information you give us. 

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application.

You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced price meals. You must include the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number. We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We May share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program review, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.