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Newark Unified Announces Free, Reduced Meal Policy

An overview of eligibility for free, reduced-price or full-price meal benefits for students enrolled in Newark Unified.

From Newark Unified School District:

announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Each school and/or the central office has a copy of the policy, 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 her are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Children who receive Food Stamp (FS), California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) 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.

 

Free Eligibility Scale

Lunch, Breakfast, Milk

Reduced-Price Eligibility Scale

Lunch, Breakfast

Household Size

Year

Month

Twice per month

Every two weeks

Week

Year

Month

Twice per month

Every two weeks

Week

1

$ 14,521

$ 1,211

$606

$559

$  280

$ 20,665

$ 1,723

$   862

$   795

$  398

2

19,669

1,640

820

757

379

27,991

2,333

1,167

1,077

539

3

24,817

2,069

1,035

955

478

35,317

2,944

1,472

1,359

680

4

29,965

2,498

1,249

1,153

577

42,643

3,554

1,777

1,641

821

5

35,113

2,927

1,464

1,351

676

49,969

4,165

2,083

1,922

961

6

40,261

3,356

1,678

1,549

775

57,295

4,775

2,388

2,204

1,102

7

45,409

3,785

1,893

1,747

874

64,621

5,386

2,693

2,486

1,243

8

50,557

4,214

2,107

1,945

973

71,947

5,996

2,998

2,768

1,384

For each additional family member, add:

 

$  5,148

$    429

$    215

$   198

$    99

$  7,326

$    611

$    306

$   282

$   141

Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing them of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for enrolled children.  Applications are also available at the principal's office in each school. 

To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school for processing. 

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 Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits – applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member.
  • For households who do not list a Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR 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 their child(ren)’s school(s) for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for a specific school, agency, or 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.

Households that receive Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals or Free Milk.

School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving Food Stamp or FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit receiving CalWORKs or Kin-GAP 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.

Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, and FDPIR households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 26, 2012.

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James Nelson August 10, 2012 at 10:53 am
Considering the Quality of that Food, I'd protest that it's not all FREE. It was Crap when I was in School and with it being "Healthier", I can only surmise that it's Nastier.
Mona Taplin August 10, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Remember those nice hot turkey lunches? Did you ever find any turkey in yours? When I worked for the school district many moons ago those lunches were unappetizing and mighty skimpy for the most part. Spaghetti wasn't too bad except the meat in the sauce was a wee bit scarce.
James Nelson August 10, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Mona,
From what I remember the Turkey Lunches had more Gravy than anything else. Funny you should bring that up, When I attended Snow Elementary, I used to gross this Kid out until the point that he Projectile Vomited. :/ He had a weak spot for Turkey, so when I made it dance on the table and ask him if he enjoyed eating what remained of it's carcass he'd Toss his Cookies! LOL Favorite past time of mine grossing out my fellow Classmates during Lunch. Of course when I had Detention I'd attempt to gross out the Office People too, but they had heard it all before and so the affect was diminished. What about the Chicken Nuggets that had no actual Meat in them? That used to crack me up! The Absolute Worst Lunch was Sloppy Joes! EW. Meat Loaf was OK when it was Moving in the other direction! Pizza Friday's were the only Exception to an other wise crap menu.
Nadja Adolf August 22, 2012 at 04:05 am
OK. I have a question. As I understand it, food stamp allowances are supposed to be sized to provide all meals for the covered individuals. Why are additional free breakfasts and lunches being provided? Are the food stamp allowances being adjusted to account for the fact that the food stamp allowance need cover fewer meals per day per child? Or does the food stamp allowance still cover three meals per day when the child is receiving two free meals per day at school?

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Zoneil Maharaj (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 02:47 pm
That's great to hear! We have a full list of locations in Newark, via Newark Unified, here:Read More http://newark.patch.com/groups/schools/p/newark-unified-offers-free-summer-lunches-for-community-children
Rob Sorensen June 16, 2013 at 09:28 pm
I'd suggest working thru the Principal at NMHS with less speculation. I too was involved with PTA,Read More Newark Schools Fdn, Jaycees and other non-profits. Best practices are that the one handling, depositing money not also be the one keeping books. A great volunteer shouldnt be put under suspicion without there being group neglect. By-laws and an active Board can cleanup this miscommunication. The school Principal is the MOD.
Dan June 17, 2013 at 07:40 am
I agree 100% with CT
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I helped run the Snack Shack for 10 years presented a Binder to Coach with all Accounting of allRead More monies provided for deposit - Its real simple if any Booster member requests to see Books - Give them the Books for review - I do not understand why this has not been done - Even if seen in 2010 this is 2013 and things change and the Membership is entitled to regular Audits on the money they worked so hard to raise. So produce, show and review!!!!!
Mona Taplin June 15, 2013 at 06:23 pm
Good response Teddy, and truth.
Bong Sativa June 17, 2013 at 05:57 am
The more likely explanation is that the vast majority of Newark Police officers lack the requisiteRead More aptitude & agility necessary to fill shopping bags with groceries & didn't want to do anything to further embarrass themselves while under the scrutiny of the bewildered shoppers like James.
Teddy June 17, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Bong Sativa maybe you can meet Officer Indica.
Shimadog June 15, 2013 at 10:10 am
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Audrey June 15, 2013 at 10:27 am
Yes they are walking as I write this! but it is not to late to sponsor them! please!!!
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Adam Moe June 13, 2013 at 09:47 am
I'm not sure if your mom will qualify but there are lines of credit out there that she can get as aRead More home owner. It will require her to have the income to pay back small portions at a time. Not trying to make it harder just trying to help. See about it online or let me know more and I'll see what I can do to help.
Teddy June 16, 2013 at 07:00 am
Mona Taplin you are right on re: all your remarks.
Tony June 16, 2013 at 05:33 pm
Thanks James!, You know it's amazing when somebody puts their own personal time to learn andRead More understand something and then you share it... I would have been more then glad to explained myself in more detail face-to-face because I may learn something myself but like a marriage you don't get on here and start posting every little detail about you and your wife and I'm not going to get on here and start posting every little detail about my past employer`s. So to whoever flagged me you could have simply posted a disagreement and I'm open-minded and can admit when I make a mistake...I would've simply deleted my post if you could've proved it wrong.
James Nelson June 18, 2013 at 07:58 am
Tony, You are an upstanding individual, glad you joined the Patch! ;)
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Landline? That's like so 15 years ago! People still do home telephone services? Wow!
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