Hays CISD Releases 2019-2020 Free, Reduced Lunch Policy Information

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, July 9, Hays Consolidated Independent School District released information regarding the 2019-2020 Free and Reduced Lunch program.

The Free and Reduced lunch program provides free or reduced-price meals for children who meet the current income eligibility guidelines.

Starting July 22, 2019, Hays CISD will begin distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications can be found in English and Español below. 

Applications are also available at 5750 Dacy Lance, Buda, Texas 78610, or at any school campus.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

Income

• Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels

Categorical or Automatic Eligibility

• Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Program Participant

• Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster 4.Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Hays CISD Child Nutrition Office at 5750 Dacy Lane, Buda, Texas 78610. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “No Social Security number”
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility

Hays CISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Hays CISD will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application.

Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have or wishes to decline benefits should contact Hays CISD Child Nutrition Office at (512) 268-1336.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

Determining Eligibility

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the Hays CISD Child Nutrition Office will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Randy Rau at (512) 268-2141.

Unexpected Circumstances

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.

ENGLISH:

[gview file=”https://smcorridornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Hays-CISD-Free-Reduced-Lunch-Policy-2019-2020-English.pdf”]

ESPAÑOL:

[gview file=”https://smcorridornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Hays-CISD-Free-Reduced-Lunch-Policy-2019-2020-Espanol.pdf”]

OTHER INFO: 

[gview file=”https://smcorridornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/19_20_IEG_NSLP_SBP_Chart_V001_190322.pdf”]