HARRISBURG – Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis has announced that federal income guidelines to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals and free milk for the July 2011 – June 2012 program year are now available.
Schools and other institutions and facilities use these guidelines to determine eligibility for the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.
Households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) need only include the SNAP or TANF case number on their application. Households enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) also may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals and should complete a Household Meal Benefit Application.
Federal law prohibits any child eligible under these programs from being discriminated against based on race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call toll free 1-866-632-9992. TDD users may contact the USDA through local relay or the federal relay at 1-800-877-8339 or 1-866-377-8642 (relay voice users).
For more information on school nutrition, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website at www.pde.state.pa.us and type in keyword “School Nutrition.”