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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 Eligibility
Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Program Participant Eligibility
Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start
Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify 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 River Road I.S.D.. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
Names of all household members
Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
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 number”
Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct
Categorical or Program Participant Eligibility
River Road I.S.D. is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. The 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, can contact Debra Wilson, Food Service Director at 806-381-7833 or debra.wilson@rrisd.net .
Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Debra Wilson, Food Service Director at 806-381-7833 or debra.wilson@rrisd.net .
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, Debra Wilson, Assistant Food Service Director 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 Richard Kelley, Superintendent, River Road ISD, 9500 U.S. Highway 287 North, Amarillo, TX 79108,
806-381-7800.
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.
River Road ISD Food Service Department, 806-381-7833.
If you have any questions about the meal application process, please contact the Food Service Office at 806-381-7833. River Road ISD Food Service Department, Debra Wilson, Food Service Director, debra.wilson@rrisd.net.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Complete one Free & Reduced –Price School Meals Application to apply for free and reduced meals for all children in the household. Apply online at the link above. We cannot approve an incomplete application, so be sure to fill out all required information and sign. Online applications come direct to us. If you do not have access to a computer you may come to any campus cafeteria or the Food Service Office at the Middle School to apply/ or pickup a paper application.
Who can get free meals?
Income-
Your children can get free or reduced meals if your household’s gross income (total, without deductions) is within the limits described on the Federal Income Guidelines (see link above).
Special Program Participants-
All Children in households receiving benefits from SNAP, FDPIR or TANF can get free meals.
Foster-
Foster children under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of the income of his or her resident household.
Homeless, Runaway and Migrant-
Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant qualify for free meals. If you have a question about homeless, runaway or migrant status please call Kara Gorman at 806-381-8721.
Directly Certified for Free Meals-
If you have received a notification letter that your child is directly certified for free meals, do not complete an application, but do let the Food Service Office know if any children in your household who attend school are not listed in the letter at 806-381-7833 and we will get them added.
Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free meals?
Carefully read the letter you received and follow the instructions. Call the Food Services Office at 806-381-7833 if you have questions.
My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must apply for a new application unless the school told you your child is eligible for this school year.
I get WIC, can my child(ren) get free meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced meals; please fill out an application.
If I don’t qualify now, may I apply again later?
Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household income or circumstances change, you may become eligible for free or reduced meals.
What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Richard Kelley, Superintendent, 9500 U.S. Hwy 287 N, Amarillo, TX 79108, 806-381-7800.
If you have other questions or need help, please call the
Food Service Office at 806-381-7833.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: : (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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