Free and Reduced School Lunch Qualifications and Meal Payment Policy

Children need healthy meals to learn. ACPS School Nutrition Services receives support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. We receive additional money for meals served to children from households with income at or below the amounts on the Federal Eligibility Income Chart. To determine the amount of Federal support to which we are entitled, parents will be asked to complete a free and reduced meal application as soon as possible, sign it, and return it to the school. Federal support is earned for school meals and other school programs based on students’ eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.

A completed free and reduced-price meal application must be submitted for each household to determine whether your child(ren) qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. Complete the application online or print and return the completed application to your school.

Schools Receiving Free Breakfast Through Provision II

Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology; Ferdinand T. Day and William Ramsay elementary schools; Jefferson-Houston and Patrick Henry schools and Francis C. Hammond Middle School will be participating in Provision II as part of the regulatory guidelines through the United States Department of Agriculture.

All students enrolled at these schools will be provided a nutritious meal for breakfast at no charge. Households with students attending these schools WILL STILL need to submit a meal application to determine if your student will qualify to receive a lunch meal at no charge. Each household will receive a Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. We encourage you to complete the application as soon as possible. Please contact the School Nutrition Services program with any questions you may have regarding the application process.

Important Information Parents Need to Know

1. All children attending these schools will receive breakfast at no charge regardless of income under this provision.
2. You will receive notification of eligibility for free or reduced-price meals once the application has been processed. Regardless of the determination, all breakfasts will be served to children at no charge.  The application approval determines the federal reimbursement we receive to cover the costs of the meals served.
3. Information provided on the application may be checked. We may ask you to send written proof of the information provided. If your application is selected for verification, you will be notified in writing.
4. Your child(ren) qualify if you provide a SNAP or TANF case number. You do not have to inform the school when you no longer receive SNAP or TANF.
5. Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
6. You may complete an application at any time during the school year if your household size increases, income decreases, or if you begin receiving SNAP or TANF.

What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Mignon Anthony, 703-619-8097, mignon.anthony@acps.k12.va.us

If you have other questions or need help, call Sonya Grant, 703-619-8407, sonya.grant@acps.k12.va.us

Federal Eligibility Income Chart

Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.

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 last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The last four digits of 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 reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

Meal Policy When There Are Insufficient Funds

Students who do not have money on account or in hand to cover the cost of a meal at the time of service will be permitted to charge a full meal. Students will not be permitted to charge à la carte items. Reasonable efforts will be used to avoid calling attention to a student’s inability to pay. ACPS Student Nutrition Services will notify the principal daily of any unpaid meal charges. The principal’s designee will then notify the parent/guardian in the parent’s/guardian’s preferred language. After ten (10) meals have been charged, the principal will notify the parents/guardians by U.S. mail. Written notifications will include the amount of unpaid meal charges and information on replenishing the student’s meal accounts, as well as contact information for assistance registering for free and reduced meal benefits. In addition, the principal will designate a member of the school support team to schedule a meeting with the parents/guardians to determine whether the student qualifies for free and reduced meal benefits. Therefore, ACPS may notify the department of social services of suspected cases of child neglect.

Non-Discrimination Statement

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 1-800-877-8339. 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 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: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.