PUBLIC RELEASE
Jefferson
Local Schools today announced its 2018-2019 program year policy for free and
reduced-price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals or milk
served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, After School Care
Snack or Special Milk Program. Each
school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be
reviewed by any interested party.
The Federal
Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is
at or below the Federal Guidelines are eligible for free and reduced price
meals or free milk if the school participates in the Special Milk Program.
Application forms are being distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required. Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application. Households which do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security Number, the amount and source of income received by each household member, (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member. If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application.
FREE HEALTH CARE: Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for FREE health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Please call 1-800-324-8680
for more information or to request an application. Information can also be
found on the web at http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm.
Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.
The
information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only
for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time
during the school year by school or other program official. To discourage the possibility of
misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space
for signature certifying that all information furnished is true and
correct. Applications are being made in
connection with the receipt of federal funds.
Schools or other officials may check the information on the application
at any time during the school year.
Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to
prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.
Households
will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits.
Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information.
Under
the provision of the policy, Christine Elkins, Food Services Director, will review
applications and determine eligibility.
If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application
or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the
determining official on an informal basis.
If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair
hearing. A fair hearing can be requested
either orally or in writing from: William Mullett, Superintendent Jefferson
Local Schools, 906 W. Main St., West Jefferson, OH 43162; 614-879-7654 x.1112. The policy contains an outline of
the hearing procedure.
Households
may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible and
if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or
other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new
application. Such changes may make the
children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the
family income falls at or below the levels shown above.
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 USDA.
Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g.
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 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,
(AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html,
and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the
letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to
USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary
for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal
opportunity provider.