Reduced Lunch Form - West Geauga Local Schools

August, 2013Dear Parent/Guardian:Children need healthy meals to learn. West Geauga Local Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Lunch costs $3.10 at the high school & middleschool and $2.85 for the elementary schools. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.40 for lunch.1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one Free and ReducedPrice School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all requiredinformation. Return the completed application to: EMIS Coordinator, West Geauga Local Schools, 8615 Cedar Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026.2. Who can get free meals? All children in households receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Ohio Works First(OWF) benefits can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free limits onthe Federal Income Guidelines.3. Can foster children get free meals? Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals.Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.4. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals? Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for freemeals. If you have not been told your children will get free meals, please call or email the Director of Pupil Personnel at 440-729-5900 to see if they qualify.5. Who can get reduced price meals? Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Eligibility Income Chartshown on this application.6. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free meals? Please read the letter you got carefully and follow theinstructions. Call the school at 440-729-5900 if you have questions.7. My Child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one? Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of thisschool year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.8. I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.9. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.10. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian whobecomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.11. 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 orwriting to: Geoff Palmer, Superintendent, West Geauga Local Schools, 8615 Cedar Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026.12. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reducedprice meals.13. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, otherrelatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children who live with you. If you live with other people who areeconomically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro-rated share ofexpenses), do not include them.14. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but youmissed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it ifyou only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.15. We are in the military, do we include our housing allowance as income? If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income.However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.16. My Spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is her combat pay counted as income? No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic paybecause of her deployment and it wasn’t received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact your school for more information.17. Why am I being asked about giving my consent for an instructional fee waiver? Ohio public schools are required to waive the school instructional feesfor children who quality for free meal benefits. School Food Service personnel must have parent consent to share student meal application if your child(ren)quality for a fee waiver. If you agree to allow your child(ren)’s meal application to be shared with school officials to see if he/she/they qualifies for a fee waiverthen check “yes” in part 5. If you do not wish for that information to be shared, then check “no” in part 5. Answering no to this question will mean your child willnot be able to be considered for a fee waiver. Answering this question either way will not change whether your child(ren) will get free or reduced price meals.18. My Family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for? To find out how to apply for Ohio SNAP or other assistance benefits,contact your local assistance office or call 877-852-0010.If you have other questions or need help, call 440-729-5900. Si necesita ayuda, por favor llame al teléfono: 440-729-5900.Si vous voudriez d’aide, contactez nous au numero: 440-729-5900.Sincerely,Geoff Palmer, Superintendent2

WeeklyEvery 2 WeeksTwice MonthlyMonthlyWeeklyEvery 2 WeeksTwice MonthlyMonthlyWeeklyEvery 2 WeeksTwice MonthlyMonthlyPart 1. ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSNames of all household members(First, Middle Initial, Last)2013-2014 FREE AND REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS FAMILY APPLICATIONName of school and school grade level for eachchild/or indicate “NA” if child is not in school.SchoolGradeCheck if a foster child (legal responsibility ofwelfare agency or court)*If all children listed below are foster children,skip to Part 5 to sign this form.Check ifNoIncomePart 2. BENEFITS: If any member of your household receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally Food Stamps) or OhioWorks First (OWF) benefits, provide the name and 10-digit case number for the person who receives benefits and skip to Part 5. If no onereceives these benefits, skip to Part 3.NAME: ____________________________________________ 10-DIGIT CASE NUMBER:___________________________________________Part 3. If any child you are applying for is homeless, migrant, or a runaway check the appropriate box and call the Director of PupilPersonnel @ 440-729-5900. Homeless Migrant RunawayPart 4. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD GROSS INCOME (before deductions). List all income on the same line as the person who receives it. Check thebox for how often it is received. Record each income only once.1. NAME(List all household members with income)2. GROSS INCOME AND HOW OFTEN IT WAS RECEIVEDEarningsfrom workbeforedeductionsWelfare,childsupport,alimonyPensions,retirement,SocialSecurity,SSI, VAbenefitsAll Other Income(indicate frequency,such as “weekly”“monthly” “quarterly”“annually”(Example) Jane Smith $200 $150 $0 $50.00/quarterly__$ $ $ $________/_______$ $ $ $________/_______$ $ $ $________/_______$ $ $ $________/_______$ $ $ $________/_______Part 5. SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL FEE WAIVER ADULT CONSENT: Your child(ren) may qualify for a waiver of their school instructional fees.We must have your permission to share your meal application information with school officials if your child(ren) qualifies for a fee waiver.Answering this question will not change whether your children will get free or reduced price meals.Please check a box: Yes I agree to have my meal application used to determine if my child(ren) qualify for a fee waiver.No, I do not agree to have my meal application used to determine if my child(ren) qualify for a fee waiver.Signature of Parent/Guardian for the Instructional Fee Waiver Question: _____________________________________ Date: ________________Part 6. SIGNATURE AND LAST FOUR DIGITS OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (ADULT MUST SIGN)An adult household member must sign the application. If Part 4 is completed, the adult signing the form must also list the last four digits ofhis or her Social Security Number or mark the “I do not have a Social Security Number” box. (See Privacy Act Statement on the back of this page.)I certify (promise) that all information on this application is true and that all income is reported. I understand that the school will get Federal fundsbased on the information I give. I understand that school officials may verify (check) the information. I understand that if I purposely give falseinformation, my children may lose meal benefits, and I may be prosecuted.Sign here: X________________________________________Print name:______________________________________Date: ______________Address:_______________________________________________________________________Phone Number:_________________________Last four digits of your Social Security Number: __ __ __ __I do not have a Social Security NumberPart 7. Children’s ethnic and racial identities (optional)Choose one ethnicity:Choose one or more (regardless of ethnicity):Hispanic/LatinoNot Hispanic/LatinoAsian American Indian or Alaska Native Black or African AmericanWhiteNative Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderDon’t fill out this part. This is for school use only.Annual Income Conversion: Weekly x 52, Every 2 Weeks x 26, Twice A Month x 24 Monthly x 12Total Income: ____________ Per: Week, Every 2 Weeks, Twice A Month, Month, Year Household size: ________Categorical Eligibility: ___ Date Withdrawn: ________ Eligibility: Free___ Reduced___ Denied___ Reason: ____________________Determining/Approval Official’s Signature: _____________________________________________________ Date: _____________________Confirming Official’s Signature: _____________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________Follow-up Official’s Signature: ______________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________If selected for Verification, Date Verification Notice Sent:_________ Response Date: _________ 2 nd Notice Sent: ________ Results Sent:_______Verification Result: No Change _____ Free to Reduced Price _____ Free to Paid _____ Reduced Price to Free ____ Reduced Price to Paid ___

Dear Parent/Guardian:Your application was:Approved for free meals.NOTICE TO HOUSEHOLDS OF APPROVAL/DENIAL OF BENEFITSFor the 2013-2014 Program YearApproved for reduced-price lunch at $ .40___Temporarily approved for free meals until ___________________________.Denied for the following reason(s):( ) Income over the allowable amount.( ) Incomplete application because ____________________________________( ) Other_________________________________________________________You (___) have/(___) have not requested a waiver of school fees for your child(ren) via the free & reduced lunch application._____ Fee waiver has been approved for 2013/2014 school year_____Fee waiver has been denied for the 2013/2014 school year (see above for reason denied).If you do not agree with the decision, you may discuss it with the school. If you wish to review the decision further, you have aright to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling or writing the following official:Geoff PalmerWest Geauga Local Schools8615 Cedar RoadChesterland, OH 44026If you are not eligible now but have a decrease in household income, become unemployed, have an increase in household size orbecome eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds, fill out anapplication at that time.Sincerely,Sandy Tyler, Administrative Assistant

SHARING INFORMATION WITH MEDICAID/Healthy Start, Healthy FamiliesDear Parent/Guardian:If your children get free or reduced price school meals, they may also be able to get free or lowcosthealth insurance through Medicaid or the State of Ohio Healthy Start, Healthy FamiliesProgram. Children with health insurance are more likely to get regular health care and are lesslikely to miss school because of sickness.Because health insurance is so important to children’s well-being, the law allows us to tellMedicaid and Healthy Start, Healthy Families that your children are eligible for free orreduced price meals, unless you tell us not to. Medicaid and Healthy Start, Healthy Familiesonly use the information to identify children who may be eligible for their programs. Programofficials may contact you to offer to enroll your children. Filling out the Free and Reduced PriceSchool Meals Application does not automatically enroll your children in health insurance.If you do not want us to share your information with Medicaid or Healthy Start, Healthy Families,fill out the form below and send in (Sending in this form will not change whether your children getfree or reduced price meals). No! I DO NOT want information from my Free and Reduced Price School MealsApplication shared with Medicaid or the Healthy Start, Healthy Families.If you checked no, fill out the form below.Child's Name: _______________________School:________________________Child's Name: _______________________School:________________________Child's Name: _______________________School:________________________Child's Name: _______________________School:________________________Signature of Parent/Guardian: ____________________________Date: _______Printed Name:____________________ Address:_________________________For more information, you may call [name] at [phone].Return this form to: [address] by [date].

SHARING INFORMATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMSDear Parent/Guardian:To save you time and effort, the information you gave on your Free and Reduced PriceSchool Meals Application may be shared with other programs for which your childrenmay qualify. For the following programs, we must have your permission to shareyour information. Sending in this form will not change whether your children getfree or reduced price meals. No! I DO NOT want information from my Free and Reduced Price School MealsApplication shared with any of these programs. Yes! I DO want school officials to share information from my Free and ReducedPrice School Meals Application with [name of program specific to yourschool]. Yes! I DO want school officials to share information from my Free and ReducedPrice School Meals Application with [name of program specific to yourschool]. Yes! I DO want school officials to share information from my Free and ReducedPrice School Meals Application with [name of program specific to yourschool].If you checked yes to any or all of the boxes above, fill out the form below. Yourinformation will be shared only with the programs you checked.Child’s Name: _____________________________ School: ___________________________Child’s Name: _____________________________ School: ___________________________Child’s Name: _____________________________ School: ___________________________Child’s Name: _____________________________ School: ___________________________Signature of Parent/Guardian: __________________________________ Date: ___________Printed Name: ______________________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________________________For more information, you may call [name] at [phone].Return this form to: [address] by [date].