Parent Information: School Forms, Policies & Handbooks: Free/Reduced Lunch

Free/Reduced Lunch Information

May 15, 2008

Free/Reduced Lunch:

The Wahoo Public School serves meals each school day. Students may buy lunch at the following costs: Grades K-5, $1.50/day, 6-12, $1.80/day. Children from households that meet Federal Income guidelines are eligible for free meals or reduced price meals at 40 cents for lunch. All meals served must meet meal patterns established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, if a child has been determined by a doctor to be handicapped and the handicap would prevent the child from eating the regular school meal, this school will make any substitutions prescribed by the doctor. If a substitution is needed, there will be no extra charge for the meal. If you believe your child needs substitutions because of a handicap, please get in touch with us for further information.

If you now receive food stamps or AFDC for your children, your children are automatically eligible for free meals, but you still need to fill out the free/reduced lunch application. The reduced price is .40 cents for lunch and .30 cents for breakfast.

You can access the free/reduced lunch application by clicking on the following link: Free/Reduced Lunch Application. Please print, and return completed applications to any of the school offices.

For instructions on completing the application, please click the following link: Instructions

Click HERE for Attachment E "Computing Income for Self-Employed Individuals" (This form is required for those submitting free/reduced lunch applications who are self-employed).

TO GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS FOR YOUR CHILDREN, 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 get food stamps or AFDC for the children you are applying for, the application must have the children's names, a food stamp or AFDC case number for each child, and 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 AFDC case number for all the children you are applying for, then the application must have the children's names, the names of all household members, the amount of income each person got last month and where it came from, 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.

Verification: Your eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send papers showing that your children should get free or reduced meals.

Please remind your child that no liquids from the outside will be allowed in the school building. They may purchase a drink from the machines or the lunch line.

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.

Edward Rastovski
2201 N. Locust
Wahoo, NE 68066
(402) 443-3051

Reporting Changes: If your children get free or reduced price meals because of your income, you must tell the school if your household size decreases or your income increases by more than $50 per month or $600 per year. If your children get meals because they get food stamps or AFDC, you must tell the school when you are not getting AFDC or food stamps for them. You may then fill out another application giving income information.

Confidentiality: School officials use the information on the application only to decide if your children should get free or reduced price meals.

Reapplication: You may apply for meal benefits anytime during the school year. If you are not eligible now but have change, like a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, become unemployed or get food stamps or AFDC for your children, complete an application then.

Other Benefits: Families eligible for free and reduced price meals may also be eligible for other programs: 1. Child Care Subsidy, a program that assists parents with child care costs. For more information on child care subsidy, call 1-800-600-1289. 2. Kid's Connection; Nebraska Children's Health Insurance Program, a program that provides health insurance coverage for children up to age 19. For more information on health insurance, call toll free 1-877-632-5437.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the 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 Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

We will let you know when your application is approved or denied.