2021-2022 MEDIA RELEASE FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS

Per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, as extended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, and Other Extensions Act, all WCSD students will receive free meals for School Year 2021-2022

Washoe County School District is pleased to announce our participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Each school and the Nutrition Services Office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and most foster children can receive free meals regardless of their income. Households receiving assistance under the SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF should only submit an Application for Meal Benefits if they are not notified of their current eligibility in the new school year.

If the household income is within the Income Eligibility Guidelines, your student(s) can receive free or reduced-price meals. School Meal Benefits Applications are available at the beginning of the school year at school sites and the Nutrition Services Office. The application is also available on-line at https://rocket.washoeschools.net.  

For school officials to determine eligibility and process applications for meal benefits, households must provide the following information on the application:

Income Based Applications

• Names of all household members
• Amount, source, and frequency of current income for each household member
• Signature of an adult household member
• The last 4 digits of the social security number of the household’s primary wage earner, another adult household member’s social security number, or an indication that the household member does not have one.

Assistance Program Households: Households that are approved for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), are automatically approved and need only provide the following information on their applications for free or reduced priced meal benefits:

• The names of all children for whom the application is made
• SNAP, TANF, FDPIR case number or identifier for the children or any household member listed on the application
• The signature of the adult household member completing the application.

Other Source Categorical Eligibility: Families of children classified as homeless, migrant, or runaway may submit an application with the following information:

• Names of the children for whom the application is made
• Indication of the child’s categorical eligibility status
• Signature of an adult household member

Foster Children: Foster children are automatically approved for free meal benefits. They may be included as a member of the foster family’s household as this may help other children in the household qualify for benefits, if that family chooses to apply for benefits for other children. If the foster family is ineligible for free or reduced benefits, it does not prevent the foster child from receiving free meal benefits. A foster child only application should include the following:

• Name of the foster child
• Indication of the child’s foster care status
• Signature of an adult household member

Mixed Applications:  These types of applications contain children who are other-source categorically eligible, including foster children and the biological children in the household. These applications must include the following information:

• Names of all household members
• Amount and source of current income for each member and the frequency of income
• An indication of the program source of Other Source Categorical Eligibility Status
• Signature of an adult household member
• The last 4 digits of the social security number of the household’s primary wage earner, another adult household member’s social security number, or an indication that the household member does not have one.

Children need healthy meals to learn. The Washoe County School District offers healthy meals every school day. Your children may qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. There is no charge for reduced-priced meals for the current school year. Return the completed application to the school cafeteria, Nutrition Services Center, or apply online: https://rocket.washoeschools.net.

2. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Use one Free and Reduced Meal Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to the school cafeteria or Nutrition Services Center.
3. Who can qualify for free meals? All children in households receiving SNAP, FDPIR or TANF and foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. If the household gross income is within the free limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines, if you have received a NOTICE OF DIRECT CERTIFICATION for free meals, do not complete the application, but do let the school know if any children in your household are not listed on the Notice of Direct Certification letter you received.
4. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children receive free meals? Please call the school, homeless liaison or migrant coordinator to see if your child(ren) qualifies, if you have not been informed that they will receive free meals.
5. Who can qualify for reduced-priced meals? Your children can receive meals if your household’s gross income is within the reduced-price meal limits on the Federal Income Chart. There is no charge for reduced-priced meals for the current school year.
6. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced-price meals? Please read the letter you received carefully and follow the instructions. Call Kristy McDonald at 325-8431 if you have questions.
7. My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out another one? Yes. Your child’s application is good for that school year and for the first 30 days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school tells you that your child is eligible for the new school year. The school is not required to send a reminder notice of expired eligibility.
8. If I get WIC, can my child(ren) get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please fill out an application.
9. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send verification proof of income only.
10. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start getting SNAP, TANF or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
11. What if I disagree with the district’s decision about my application? You should talk to Nutrition Services. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing: Dr. Troy Parks, Chief Academic Officer, P.O. Box 30425, Reno, NV 89520, 775-789-4608.
12. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced price meals.
13. Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.  You cannot claim someone who is not residing in your household or who is economically independent.
14. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally get $1,000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month.  If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.
15. We are in the military; do we include our housing allowance as income? If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.

If you have other questions or need assistance, please call Kristy McDonald at 775-325-8431.

There is no charge for reduced-priced meals for the current school year.

The Washoe County School District offers healthy meals every school day. Student breakfast price is $1.85; lunch price is $2.90 for elementary and $3.15 for middle and high school.