Qualifying CJUSD Students Can Receive Free or Reduced-Price Meals

Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) will provide free and reduced-price meals for children who qualify under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2013–14 school year. The household size and income criteria identified in Fig. A will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or full-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who receive CalFresh (formerly food stamps), California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (KinGAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automatically eligible regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligibility for a foster child is based on the child’s “personal use” income. An online application form, which includes a letter regarding the availability of free and reduced-priced meals for enrolled students, is available at https://coltonjusd.rocketscanapps.com. Paper applications are also available at the principal’s office in each school or the district’s Nutrition Services’ office. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete the online application or a paper application which is to be returned to the school or District Nutrition Services’ office for processing. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials. Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving CalFresh (food stamps), CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits – applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)’s name, CalFresh (food stamp), CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. For households who do not list a CalFresh (food stamp), CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, the application must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the signature and corresponding last four digits of the Social Security number of an adult household member. If the household member who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate on the application that a Social Security number is not available. Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the sponsor/agency, shall review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the sponsor/agency’s hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact the district Nutrition Services Department for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the Nutrition Services Department. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown above. Households that receive CalFresh (food stamp), CalWORKs, KinGAP, or FDPIR benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the CalFresh (food stamps), CalWORKs, KinGAP, or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving Cal Fresh (food stamp) or FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit receiving CalWORKs or KinGAP benefits. School officials will notify households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to receive free meals must contact the District’s Nutrition Services Office. CalFresh (food stamp), CalWORKs, KinGAP, and FDPIR households should complete an application if they were not notified of their eligibility by August 1, 2013. In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating 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, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD).