Escalon Unified School District has announced its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and/or Afterschool Snack Program. Effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.
Guidelines range from a household size of one with a yearly income of $15,782 ($1,316 per month, $658 twice per month, $607 every two weeks, $304 weekly) to a midsize household of four with an annual income of $32,630. That breaks down to $2,720 per month; $1,360 twice per month; $1,255 every two weeks; $628 per week. For a household of eight, annual income cannot exceed $55,094 - $4,592 per month; $2,296 twice per month; $2,119 every two weeks or $1,060 per week.
For each additional family member add $5,616 to the annual income allowable limit.
Households do not need to turn in an application when the household receives a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free or reduced priced-meals when any household member receives benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR. Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway, and children enrolled in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals. Contact school officials if any child in the household is not on the notification letter. The household must let school officials know if they do not want to receive free or reduced-price meals.
For a simple and secure method to apply for free and reduced price meals use the online application at https://escalonusd.strataapps.com. Contact Shelli Nicholas at 209-838-3170 for help filling out the application. The school will let you know if your application is approved or denied for free or reduced-price meals.
If you are not eligible now, but your household income goes down, household size goes up, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you may apply online at that time. Information given on the online application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials. The last four digits of the Social Security number from any adult household or checking that you do not have a Social Security number is required if you include income on the application.
Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by applying online.
Foster children are eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as a household member may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible, this does not keep foster children from receiving free meals.
Your child’s eligibility status from last school year will continue into the new school year for up to 30 school days or until the school processes your new application or your child is otherwise certified for free or reduced-price meals. After the 30 school days, your child will have to pay full price for meals, unless the household receives a notification letter for free or reduced-price meals. School officials do not have to send reminder or expired eligibility notices.
If you do not agree with the decision or results of verification, you may discuss it with school officials. You also have the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by calling or writing the hearing official: Kristin Tiger, 1520 Yosemite Ave., Escalon, CA 95320; call 209-838-3195.
Escalon Unified School District is an equal opportunity provider.
