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Free and reduced lunch offered to income eligible students for 2020-21 year

The School Districts of Cadott and Lake Holcombe have announced their policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at, or below, the levels shown, are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk, if a split-session student does not have access to the school lunch or breakfast service. Annual Income Level Household: Free: Reduced Price: 1 $16,588 $16,588.01-$23,606 2 $22,412 $22,412.07-$31,984 3 $28,236 $28236-$40,182 4 $34,060 $34,060.01-$48,470 5 $39,884 $39,884.01-$56,758 6 $45,708 $45,708.01-$65,046 7 $51,532 $57,532.01-$73,334 8 $57,356 $57,356.01-$81,622 Application forms are sent to all homes, with a notice to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced price meals, or free milk, households must fill out the application and return it to the school (unless notified at the start of the school year that children are eligible through direct certification). Additional copies are available at the office in each school.

The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verifi ed at any time during the school year, by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

To obtain free or reduced price meals or free milk for children in a household where one, or more, household members receive FoodShare, FDPIR or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, program name, list the names of all school children, sign the application and return it to the school office.

For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals, or free milk of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide information requested on the application, including names of all household members, number of household members and the adult signing the application form, must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security number or mark the box to the right of “Check if no SSN.”

Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source (wages, welfare, child support, etc.).

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal, and free milk policy, the assistant bookkeeper will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis.

If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/ she may make a request either orally, or in writing.

If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals, or free milk if the household income falls at, or below, the levels shown above and they may reapply at that time.

Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application. Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children.

The information provided by the household on the application is confidential. Public Law 103-448 limits the release of student free and reduced price school meal eligibility status, to persons directly connected with the administration and enforcement of federal, or state educational programs. Consent of the parent/guardian is needed for other purposes, such as waiver of text book fees.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights, regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in, or administering USDA programs, are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program, or activity conducted or funded by the USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, may contact the USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD3027) found online at ascr.usda.gov, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to the USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form.

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