Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. Sewell Middle School offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.00; lunch costs $2.00, and you can pay for your child’s meals in advance either weekly or monthly. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.

1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use ONE Free and Reduced Price School Meals 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: Sheila Garrett, 504 Laurel Street, Bremen, GA (770-537-5508).

2. Who can get free meals? Children in households getting Food Stamps or TANF and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.

3. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals? Please call Robert Dorch at 770-537-3420 to see if your child(ren) qualify, if you have not been informed that they will get free meals.

4. Who can get reduced price meals? Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Chart, attached with this application.

5. Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced price meals? Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the School Nutrition Program Administrator at 770-537-5508 if you have questions.

6. 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.

7. Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.

8. 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 become eligible and receive Food Stamps, TANF or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.

9. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Dr. Stanley McCain, 504 Laurel Street, Bremen, GA 30110.

10. 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.

11. 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) and their incomes. You must include yourself and all children who live with you.

12. What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 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.

13. We are in the military, do we include our housing allowance as income? If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

If you have other questions or need help, call 770-537-5508.

Si necesita ayuda, por favor llame al teléfono: 770-537-5508

Si vous voudriez d’aide, contactez nous au numero: 770-537-5508.

Sincerely,

Sheila Garrett Free and Reduced Price Meals Application 06-07

School Nutrition Administrator Letter to Households Page 1 of 2