Food Service Department

 

Free and Reduced Program Information

 

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District serves meals each school day. Children may buy lunch for $1.80 elementary/$2.00-$3.00 secondary. Children also may receive meals free or at a reduced price. All meals served must meet patterns established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, if a child has been determined by a physician to be disabled and the disability would prevent the child from eating the regular school meal, this school will make any substitution prescribed by the physician. If a substitution is required, there will be no extra charge for the meal. If you believe your child requires a substitution because of a disability, please contact us for further information.

 

If you now receive Food Stamps or TANF (formerly AFDC) Cash Assistance for your child(ren), your child(ren) is/are eligible to receive free meals. If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below, your child(ren) may be eligible to receive free meals or reduced price meals. A foster child may receive free or reduced price meals regardless of your income. The reduced price is $.40 for lunch.

 

TO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS FOR YOUR CHILD(REN), YOU MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AND RETURN IT TO THE SCHOOL. WE CANNOT APPROVE AN APPLICATION THAT IS NOT COMPLETE.

 

HOW TO APPLY

If you now receive Food Stamps or TANF Cash Assistance for the child(ren) for whom you are applying, the application must have the child(ren)'s name, Food Stamp or TANF Case Number, and the signature of an adult household member. If you are applying for a foster child, the application must have the child's name, the child's "personal use" income, and an adult signature. If you do not list a Food Stamp or TANF Case Number for each child , then the application must have the child(ren)'s names, the names of all household members, the amount of income each person received last month and the income source, the signature of an adult household member and that adult's social security number or the word "none" if the adult does not have a social security number.

 

INCOME CHART 2006-2007

Household Size	Annual	Monthly	Weekly
1	18,130	1,511	349
2	24,420	2,035	470
3	30,710	2,560	591
4	37,000	3,084	712
5	43,290	3,608	833
6	49,580	4,132	954
7	55,870	4,656	1,075
8	62,160	5,180	1,196
For each additional member add......
	+6,290	+525	+121

Verification: Your eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send documentation that your child(ren) is/are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals.

Fair Hearing: You may talk to school officials if you do not agree with the school's decision on your application or the results of verification. You may also ask for a fair hearing. You may do this by calling or writing to: Robert W. Cochran, Business Administrator, 740 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Phone number: 610-347-0970.

 

Reporting Changes: If your child(ren) receive free or reduced price meals because of your income, you must tell the school if your household decreases or your income increases by more than $50 per month or $600 per year. If your child(ren) receive meals because you receive Food Stamp or TANF benefits, you must tell the school if these benefits are discontinued. You may then complete another application giving income information.

 

Confidentiality: School officials will use the information on the application to decide if your child(ren) should receive free or reduced price meals. The eligibility status of your child may be given to local Title I officials for allocations and evaluation purposes.

 

Reapplication: You may apply for free or reduced price meals anytime during the school year. If you are not presently eligible but have a change during this school year, such as a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, unemployment or receiving Food Stamps or TANF benefits for your child(ren), complete an application at that time.

 

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of all program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA'S TARGET center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

You will be notified if your application is approved or denied.

Updated 10/01/06