Bullard ISD released its policy for providing free and reduced-priced meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program.

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits.

Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced price meals for their children. The letter and application will be distributed within the first week of school. Applications also are available at the principal’s office in each school. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

----Households that do not list a food stamp or TANF case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member and Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate by checking the box “I do not have a Social Security number.” The application must be signed by an adult household member.

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the welfare agency or court may be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child’s income.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Tonya McFarland will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to:

Keith Bryant, Superintendent, 1426B South Houston, Bullard TX 75757 or call (903) 894-6639.

Bullard ISD offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $2.50 (primary, elementary and intermediate) and $3 (middle and high school). Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.

1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Complete one application to apply for free or reduced-price meals. Use one Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. BISD cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Tonya Mc- Farland, PO BOX 250 Bullard, TX 75757.

2. Who can get free meals? Children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly the Food Stamp Program) or TANF can get free meals regardless of your income. Your benefit letter from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is your documentation for free meals. If you have not already received a letter from your school stating that your household is eligible for free meals, you may take your HHSC benefit letter to your child nutrition office to be certified for free meals. If a member of your household is directly certified due to receiving SNAP or TANF benefits, all members of your household are eligible for free meals. If a child in your household is not included on the Letter of Direct Certification, sent to you by the SFA, or if you have questions, call the school at (903) 894-6639.

3. Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced-price meals? In most cases no, however read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the school at (903) 894-6639 if you have questions or a member of your household is not listed on the letter. If your household does not receive SNAP or TANF, your children may still be eligible to receive free meals if your household income is less than the amounts listed on the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Complete the application and submit it to your child nutrition office. Head Start students and Even Start children and most foster children may also qualify for free meals.

4. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals? Yes. If you have not been notified of free status under these categories, call Jan Hill at (903) 894-6639 to see if your child(ren) 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 Income Chart.

6. 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. Fill out an application.

7. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.

8. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start getting SNAP, TANF or other benefits (such as unemployment benefits).

9. 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 or writing to: Keith Bryant, Superintendent, PO Box 250 Bullard, TX 75757 or call (903) 894-6639.

10. 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 reduced price meals.

11. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include yourself and all people living in your household, related or not (such as children, grandparents, other relatives or friends).

12. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally get $1,000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1,000 per month. If you normally get overtime pay, include that amount as income. If you do not normally get overtime pay, do not include it as income.

13. We are in the military; do we include our housing allowance as income? If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income. If you have other questions or need help, call the school.