PUBLIC/PRESS RELEASE FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS

The Department of Education (DOE), School Food Services Branch, today announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program. Each school has a copy of the policy which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility:

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2006 TO JUNE 30, 2007

These are the income scales used by DOE School Food Services Branch to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.
FREE MEALS REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
HOUSEHOLD YEARLY MONTHLY WEEKLY YEARLY MONTHLY WEEKLY
SIZE
1 14,651 1,221 282 20,850 1,738 401
2 19,734 1,645 380 28,083 2,341 541
3 24,817 2,069 478 35,317 2,944 680
4 29,900 2,492 575 42,550 3,546 819
5 34,983 2,916 673 49,784 4,149 958
6 40.066 3,339 771 57,017 4,752 1,097
7 45,149 3,763 869 64,251 5,355 1,236
8 50,232 4,186 966 71,484 5,957 1,375
For each
additional
member, add: +5,083 +424 +98 +7,234 +603 +140

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households may fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at each school’s office. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

To determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps or TANF must list the child’s name, their food stamp or TANF case number and the signature and name of an adult household member. Households not receiving food stamps or TANF must list: 1) the names of everyone in the household; 2) the amount of monthly income received by each person and the source of the income; 3) the name and social security number of either parent/guardian who is the primary wage earner or the adult household member who signs the form or indicate if neither adult household member has a social security number; and 4) the signature of an adult household member.

Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy School Food Services Branch 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 may make a request for a hearing on the decision either orally or in writing to:

Name of Hearing Official: School Food Services Branch Director
Address: 1106 Koko Head Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone Number: (808) 733-8400 (SB01532686 7/16/06)