School district releases free and reduced lunch eligibility criteria

The Austintown Local School District has finalized its 2011-2012 program year policy for free and reduced price meals for students unable to pay the full price for meals or milk, served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, After School Care Snack or Special Milk Program.

Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced price meals.

Application forms are being distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required.

Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application.

Households which do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security Number, the amount and source of income received by each household member, (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member.

If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application.