Los Lunas Schools Student Nutrition Services has announced its procedure for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the central office have a copy of the procedure, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or full-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown here are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Assistance, benefits are automatically eligible for free meals regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligibility for a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the amount of the child's “personal use” income.

Households that receive SNAP, or FDPIR or TANF benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals or Free Milk. District officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from Human Services Department HSD or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving benefits. School officials will notify households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to receive free meals must contact the school. SNAP, FDPIR and TANF households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by August 14, 2018.

Income Eligibility Guidelines For Reduced Meals - 185% (Effective July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019)

Household Size	Federal Poverty Guidelines Annual	Annual	Monthly	Twice Per Month	Every 2 Weeks	Weekly
1	12, 140	22,459	1,872	936	864	432
2	16,460	30,451	2,538	1,269	1,172	586
3	20,780	38,443	3,204	1,602	1,479	740
4	25,100	46,435	3,870	1,935	1,786	893
5	29,420	54,427	4,536	2,268	2,094	1,047
6	33,740	62,419	5,202	2,601	2,401	1,201
7	38,060	70,411	5,868	2,934	2,709	1,355
8	42,380	78,403	6,534	3,267	3,016	1,508
For each additional family member, add...	4,320	7,992	666	333	308	154

Income Eligibility Guidelines For Free Meals - 130% (Effective July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019)

Household Size	Federal Poverty Guidelines Annual	Annual	Monthly	Twice Per Year	Every 2 Weeks	Weekly
1	12,140	15,782	1,316	658	607	304
2	16,460	21,398	1,784	892	823	412
3	20,780	27,014	2,252	1,126	1,039	520
4	25,100	32,630	2,720	1,360	1,255	628
5	29,420	38,246	3,188	1,594	1,417	736
6	33,740	43,862	3,656	1,828	1,687	844
7	38,060	49,478	4,124	2,062	1,903	952
8	42,380	55,094	4,592	2,296	2,119	1,060
For each additional family member, add...	4,320	5,616	468	234	216	108

To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application online at www.myschoolapps.com on any computer or cell phone. Computers to complete the application are available at the Student Nutrition Office, Los Lunas and Bosque Farms libraries and your school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials.

Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving SNAP, or FDPIR or TANF benefits – applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, SNAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. For households who do not list a SNAP, or FDPIR or TANF case number, the application must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the signature and corresponding Social Security number of an adult household member. If the household member who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate on the application that a Social Security number is not available.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the sponsor/agency, shall review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the sponsor/agency’s hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact Los Lunas Schools Student Nutrition for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for the district.

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 levels shown above.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.

You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail to:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

By fax: (202) 690-7442

or email: [email protected]

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.