SMCISD to provide free healthy meals to all students

Staff Reports

SAN MARCOS — San Marcos CISD announced its policy that this school year, healthy meals will be offered every school day to all students at no cost.

Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2021-2022 school year. Each school/site or central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed upon request.

While no application or eligibility determination process is required for your student to receive free meals this school year, the income eligibility requirement will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year.

Starting in August 2021, Hays CISD will begin distributing letters to the households of the children in the district (or service area)about these 2022-2023 eligibility benefits and actions households need to take to apply.

Applications also are available at http://www.schoolcafe.com or 5750 Dacy Lane, Buda, TX. 78610 or your child’s school.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits to Start School Year 2022-2023

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits at the
beginning of School Year 2022-2023:

Income

1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels 

Categorical or Automatic Eligibility

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

Program Participant

3.  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 complete the free and reduced-price meal application and return it to 5750 Dacy Lane, Buda, TX. 78610 or your child’s school. 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 should contact the Child Nutrition office at (512) 268-1336.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact the 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 to determine 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, 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, Chief Financial Officer, (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.