BCPS ANNOUNCES POLICY FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS

The School Board of Broward County, Florida, announces its policy for Free and Reduced Price Meals for students under the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs. Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility. An application cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information. Once approved, meal benefits are good for an entire year. You need not notify the organization of changes in income and household size.

Households may complete an application online at (www.broward.k12.fl.us/foodservice/) or (www.applyforlunch.com). Application forms with a letter to parents or guardians are being sent home from the schools. To apply for Free or Reduced Price Meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school.  Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Households that receive Florida SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Florida TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) are required to list on the application only the child’s name, the name and valid Florida SNAP/TANF case number for the person who receives the benefits, and signature of adult household member.

Foster children will receive free benefits regardless of the child’s personal income or the income of the household.

Households with children who are considered migrants, homeless, or runaway should contact the district’s Migrant Coordinator at 754-321-1414 or Homeless/Runaway Liaison at 754-321-2494.

For the purpose of determining household size, deployed service members are considered a part of the household. Families should include the names of the deployed service members on their application. Report only that portion of the deployed service member’s income made available to them or on their behalf to the family. Additionally, a housing allowance that is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is not to be included as income.

All other households must provide the following information listed on the application:

•       Total household income listed by gross amount received, type of income (e.g., wages, child support, etc.) and how often the income is received by each household member;

•       Names of all household members – check the “no income” box if applicable; if household member is a child, list school name for each;

•       Signature of an adult household member certifying the information provided is correct; and

•       Last four digits of the social security number for the adult signing the application or the word “NONE” for this household member if he or she does not have a social security number.

If any household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should complete a new application.

Under the provisions of the Free and Reduced Price meal policy the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application Determining Official will review applications and determine eligibility. Any interested person may review a copy of the policy by contacting Mark Mills, Manager 1, Food and Nutrition Services, 7720 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite #204, Sunrise, Florida, 754-321-0233.

If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he or she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis at 754-321-0250. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he or she may make a request either orally or in writing to Director of Food and Nutrition Services, 7720 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite # 204, Sunrise, Florida, 754-321-0215.

—————————————

ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the nation’s sixth largest public school system and the largest fully accredited district with over 234,600 students in more than 230 schools and education centers. For more information about BCPS, visit (www.browardschools.com). Follow BCPS on Twitter (@Broward schools). Find us on Facebook at ().

—————————————

Nadine Drew

Public Relations & Governmental Affairs

Broward County Public Schools

754-321-2300

www.browardschools.com

Related posts:

1. Application Process Underway for Broward’s Head Start Program
2. Tips for Healthy Meals Before, During and After School
3. Annual Broward Schools Magnet Program Showcase Dec. 8
4. Free Broward Immunization Outreach Program
5. All Broward Schools on lockdown

Short URL: https://browardnetonline.com/?p=11335