Orangefield ISD Transitions Back to Application Requirement for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
Back to School and Back to Normal in the Cafeteria
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized spending that allowed schools to serve
free meals for all students. Those funds are not authorized to continue for the 2022-2023 school
year. As a result, Orangefield ISD must return to charging for school meals and offering free and
reduced-price meals based on student eligibility. Starting on August 10, 2022, Orangefield ISD
will begin distributing letters and applications to the households of the children in the district
about eligibility benefits. Families are encouraged to complete the Application for Free and
Reduced-Price School Meals, also available at http://www.myschoolapps.com/Application and
return the completed form online or to any school office.
The application will determine a child’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and may
assist in the determination of eligibility for other state or federal benefits. Only one application
needs to be completed per household. Schools will notify the household of the child’s eligibility.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers school nutrition programs in Texas and
offers an eligibility calculator at www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility.
Decisions regarding payment for school meals are made at the national-government level, not
by the school nutrition team or TDA. The dedicated staff at Orangefield ISD is looking forward to
serving healthy, balanced meals to students in the new school year. These meals, whether paid,
free, or reduced-price, offer a good source of nutrition for children.
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 your
student’s school. 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
Orangefield ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and
program eligible. Orangefield ISD 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 Zach Quinn, Director of Child Nutrition, 409-735-2285.
Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Zach Quinn, Director of Child
Nutrition, 409-735-2285.
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, Zach Quinn, Director of Child
Nutrition, 409-735-2285 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 Dr.
Shaun McAlpin, Superintendent, 409-735-5337.
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.
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
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