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Watch a video on how to apply for Free and Reduced-Price meals.
Here is the Madison Metropolitan School District policy for children unable to pay the full price of school meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose current income is at or below the levels shown may be eligible for Free or Reduced-price School Meals.
| Household Size | Annual | Month | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,240 | $1,604 | $ 370 |
| 2 | 25,900 | 2,159 | 499 |
| 3 | 32,560 | 2,714 | 627 |
| 4 | 39,220 | 3,269 | 755 |
| 5 | 45,880 | 3,824 | 883 |
| 6 | 52,540 | 4,379 | 1,011 |
| 7 | 59,200 | 4,934 | 1,139 |
| 8 | 65,860 | 5,489 | 1,267 |
| For Each Additional Person Add | +6,660 | +555 | +129 |
Free and Reduced-price School Meal application forms are distributed at enrollment and/or are being sent to all homes with a notice to parents/guardians (household adults). To apply for Free or Reduced-price School Meals, a household adult must complete the application and return it to the school. Additional copies of applications are available in each school office. The information the household adult provides on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by program officials. Applications may be submitted any time during the year. The information provided by the household adult on the application is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.
The district office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. Any questions regarding the policy should be directed to the school principal.
Since the 2006-2007 school year the District has been receiving a listing of students, whose family qualifies for Food Stamps. Those students are now being "Directly Certified" and the families will not need to fill out an application.
All other Families need to fill out the application form for each school year. The household must provide the following information on the application: Names of all household members; the gross income (before any deductions) received by each household member, time frame how often it is received, and the type of income it is (such as wages, child support, SSI, etc.) The adult household member must provide their Social Security number and signature to certify that the information provided is correct. If the signing adult does not have a Social Security number, there is a box provided on the application which must be checked if applicable "I do not have a Social Security Number".
Under the provisions of the School Agency's policy for free or reduced-price school meals, the school Principal will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian (household adult) is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent or guardian (household adult) wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Frank Kelly, Director of Food Service, 4711 Pflaum Road, Madison, WI 53718-6765, 204-4001. If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
If a household member becomes unemployed or, if the household size changes, the family should contact the school to fill out a new application. Such changes may make the household eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above and they may reapply at that time.
Foster Children and Group Home Children are considered a household of One and must qualify on their gross monthly Personal Use Income. Each Foster child or Group Home Child (student) must have a separate application completed for them. Foster Parents or Group Home Official should complete the application and sign it providing either their Social Security Number or that of the student. Kinship Care Children may not qualify as a Foster Child; for additional information call the student's school.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations have provided options for school food authorities to implement the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and under the option selected by our school district, USDA allows a waiver from using weighted averages to analyze the meal pattern. Instead our district uses a simple average.
Privacy Act Statement: This explains how we will use the
information you give us.
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information
on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you
do not, we can not approve your child for free or reduced price meals. You
must include the social security Number of the adult household member who
signs the application. The social security number is not required when you
apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Food Share Program,
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (W-2 cash benefits) Program or Food
Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other
FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult
household member signing the application does not have a social security
number. We will use your information to determine if your child is
eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and
enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your
eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to
help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs,
auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them
look into violations of program rules.
Nondiscrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. 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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.