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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Lifestyle
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Free, reduced meals provided at PBT-ISD
Pecos-Barstow-Toyah I.S.D. today announced it policy for providing free
and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch
Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the central office
have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
The household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility
for free and reduced-price benefits. Children from households whose income
is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court
may also 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.
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. Applications also are available at the principle's office
in each school. To apply for free and reduced-price meals, households must
fill out the application and return it to the school cafeteria or the Food
Service Office. 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. The school officials
may verify applications at any time during the school year.
For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price
benefits, households receive food stamps or TANF only have to list their
child's name and food stamp or TANF case number. An adult household member
must sign the application.
Households that do not list a food stamp of TANF case number must list
the name of all household members, the amount and source of the income received
by each household member and the 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
that a social security number is not available by writing the word "NONE,"
"No Number," or some indication that the person does not have a social security
number. An adult household member must sign the application.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the Food
Service Director and/or Food Service Secretary 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. Parent wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing
on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Don Love,
1302 S. Park, (915) 447-7201.
Households that list a food stamp or TANF case number must report when
the household no longer receives these benefits. Other households approved
for benefits based on income information must report increases in household
income of over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household
eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels
shown above.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy,
this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2002 by Pecos Enterprise
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