BCISD releases policy for free/reduced-price meals

Bridge City ISD announced it policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under current income eligibility guidelines. Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.

Starting Aug. 1, BCISD began distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available throughout the school year at the front office in each school, in the cafeteria, of each school and the Food Service Department office at the BCISD Administration Building. If help is needed to complete the application, a processor at the Food Servide Dept. is available to help you.

Criteria for 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.

Catagorical or automatic eligibility

2. Household receiving Supplimental 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 embroilment in Head Start or Even Start.

Income Eligibility

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based i=on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price application and return it to Maggie Joubert FOod Service Director, 1031 W. Roundbunch Rd., Bridge City, Tx. 77611.

Those individuals filling our 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 "no social security numbers."

4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct.

Categorical or Program Eligibility

Bridge City ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. BCISD 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 Maggie Joubert. Also, any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Joubert.

Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will bemused 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, Maggie Joubert 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 appealer a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally orin writing to Mr. Todd Lintzen, Superintendent, 1031 W. Roundbunch Rd., Bridge City, Tx., 77611, or by calling 409-735-7502.

Unexpected Circumstances

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size in creases, 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 current income eligibility guidelines.

For more information on income eligibility guidelines or other questions, please contact Maggie Joubert 409-735-1507.