Fowler School District R4J announced today its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free and reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2008-2009 school year. Local school officials will use the following size and income criteria for determining eligibility.
Reduced Price Meals
 Family Size                    Yearly

    1                    $19,240
    2                     25,900
    3                     32.560
    4                     39,220
    5                     45,880
    6                     52,540
    7                      59,200
    8                     65,860

For each additional family            $ 6,660
member add:

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents. Additional copies are available at the superintendent's office. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility and verifying data. Applications from families receiving food stamps need only to list the children's names, respective food stamp case number and the signature of an adult household member.

All other households who would qualify based upon income must show the names of all household members related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends), the amount of gross income each person received last month and source, and the signature of an adult household member and that adult's social security number, or check the box if the adult does not have a social security number. The information on the application may be verified by the school or other program officials at any time during the school year.

In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for meals, they should contact the school.

Under the provision of the Policy, Kelly Wager will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the decision, a request may be made to discuss it with the determining official. A formal appeal may be made either orally or in writing to Larry N. Vibber, Ed.D or a hearing to appeal the decision. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

Applications may be submitted any time during the school year of may be filled out at the District Office prior to the start of school. If you are not eligible now but have a decrease in income, become unemployed, have an increase in family size, or become eligible for food stamp benefits, you may fill out an application at the time.