Free and Reduced-Price Meals 2013-14

SBISD recently announced the 2013-14 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled the district. The USDA's school meals programs help ensure all students have access to nutritious meals at school.
SBISD will mail letters to district households about eligibility and  necessary action for benefit application. Copies of the policy can be found at each campus site, or in the central office.

Applications also are available at Child Nutrition Services, 1031 Witte Rd., Bldg. D, Houston, TX 77055 or any Spring Branch ISD School or online at http://freeandreduced.springbranchisd.com.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

Income
1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels

Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Program Participant
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility
For those households that quality for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price meal application and return it to M. Michelle Dickson, Program Supervisor at 1031 Witte Rd., Bldg. D, Houston, TX 77055 .

Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “I do not have a Social Security number”
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility
is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Spring Branch Independent School District will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application.

Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact M. Michelle Dickson, Program Supervisor at 1031 Witte Rd., Bldg. D, Houston, TX 77055. Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact M. Michelle Dickson, Program Supervisor at 1031 Witte Rd., Bldg. D, Houston, TX 77055.

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. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, M. Michelle Dickson, Program Supervisor will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Chris Kamradt, Child Nutrition Director, 1031 Witte Rd., Bldg. D, Houston, TX 77055 or Phone 713-251-1150.

Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.