Oregon Sets Free/Reduced Price Meal Income Guidelines for 2009-10 School Year

SALEM – State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announces the income guidelines for free and reduced price meals for students in schools operating the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and for free milk in schools operating the Special Milk Program. 

Free and reduced price meals are available for eligible students.  Schools that do not offer the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may offer free milk to eligible students.  Eligibility is determined by household size and income.  In some cases, foster children are eligible for benefits regardless of household income.  Qualifying students receive meals or milk without charge or may pay a reduced price of no more than 40 cents for lunch.  The 2009 Oregon Legislature approved a bill eliminating the 30 cents breakfast payment for student in reduced price households.

Children from households whose income is at or below the following levels are eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk:

Children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are eligible for free meals.  In August, households receiving SNAP or TANF benefits will be directly certified to receive free meal or milk benefits by a letter from their school advising them of their eligibility for free meal or milk benefits or by a notice of eligibility from their Department of Human Services (DHS) certifier. Schools will accept the DHS notice / certification letter from students as proof of eligibility for free meals or milk. No other application or verification of eligibility is required for students directly certified. 

Households not directly certified may complete a confidential application for free or reduced price meals or free milk.  An official at the school will review the confidential application and determine eligibility. Children in eligible households may receive meal benefits regardless of immigration status.  Applications may be submitted anytime during the year.  Information provided on an application may be verified at any time during the school year.  An application cannot be approved unless it contains the following information:

·        A SNAP or TANF case number for each child or an indication that the household is receiving FDPIR and the signature of an adult household member.

OR 

·        The names of all household members, the amount and source of income received by each household member in the prior month, the signature of an adult household member and the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application (or a statement that the person has no social security number).

Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the school official who determines eligibility may discuss the decision with the official.  Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a written or oral request to the school’s hearings officer (contact the school for the name, address, and phone number of the officer) for a hearing on the decision. 

New this Year

Starting August 1, 2009, a secure web based version of the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Programs Household Application for Free or Reduced Price Meals will be available statewide for Households to apply for meal benefits.

Apply for school meal benefits at::  https://district.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp/default.aspx

All applications are reviewed by the appropriate sponsor/school district nutrition office for approval.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call, toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866)377-8642 (relay voice users).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.