Tennessee Announces 2013-14 Free and Reduced Price Meal Guidelines
NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Education announced today the 2013-14 United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) policy for free and reduced-price meals for children in Tennessee schools. The USDA school meals programs help ensure all students have access to nutritious meals.
“It is important to give our children healthy and nutritious meals to set them up for success and improve their learning opportunities,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. “Research indicates eating habits affect learning. We want to ensure all our children are well nourished and ready to learn.”
FAQ’s about free and reduced price meals:
Do I need to fill out an application for each of my children? No, you only need one application for all students in your household.
Who can get free meals? All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP or Families First 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 on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Can foster children get free meals? Yes, foster children who 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.
Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals? Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. Check with your school, the homeless liaison, or migrant coordinator for more information and to see if your children qualify.
Who can get reduced-priced meals? Your children can get low cost meals if your household is within the reduced-price limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Should I fill out an application if I get a letter this school year saying your children are approved for free or reduced-price meals? Read the letter carefully and follow the instructions, or call your local School Nutrition Program Director.
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 this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.
If I get WIC, can my children get free meals? Your children may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but you will need to fill out an application.
Will the information I give be checked? Yes, and you may also be asked to send written proof.
If I do not qualify now, may I apply later? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. Children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials, or you may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing school officials.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U. S. citizen? Yes, neither you nor your children have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, 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 are economically independent, do not include them.
What if my income is not always the same? You must list the amount that you normally receive. If you normally get overtime, include it. But if you do not normally get it, do not include it. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
If I am in the military, do I include my housing allowance as income? If you get an off-base housing allowance, you must include it as income. If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.
If my spouse is deployed to a combat zone, is the combat pay counted as income? No, if the combat pay is received in addition to the basic pay because of deployment and it was not received before the deployment, combat pay is not counted as income.
If I need more help, whom should I contact? For more information on the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, contact Sarah White, executive director of school nutrition, at (615) 532-4714 or at Sarah.C.White@tn.gov. For more information on applying for SNAP, or other assistance benefits, you can download an application here or call the toll free hotline at (866) 311-4287.
Please see the USDA's eligbility requirements for more information on qualifying for free and reduced-price meals.
For more information contact Kelli Gauthier at (615) 532-7817 or Kelli.Gauthier@tn.gov.