Special Milk Program -
Free & Reduced
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Dear Parent/Guardian:
St. Mary's School believes that one of the most important ways we can help our children perform better in their classrooms is to provide them with the nutrition necessary for the healthy growth of their minds and bodies. Therefore, we provide milk in our school every day.
We invite all students to show their support for their school food service program through frequent participation. Current milk prices are $ .35 per one half pint.
How to Apply: To receive free milk for your children carefully complete one application for all children in your household and return it to the school. If you currently receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for any children or participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the application must include the children's names of all children living in your household, your SNAP, TANF or FDPIR case number and the signature of an adult household member. If you do not list a SNAP/TANF/FDPIR number, the application must include the names of everyone in the household, the amount of income for each household member, how often this income is received and where it comes from. The application must also include the signature of an adult household member and the last four digits of that adult's social security number or check the box if the adult does not have a social security number. An application that is not complete cannot be approved. Contact your local Department of Social Services for your SNAP or TANF number or complete the income portion of the application. No application is necessary if your household was notified by the SFA that your children have been directly certified. If you are not sure if your children have been directly certified, please contact the school. Eligibility for free milk benefits based on participation in SNAP, TANF or FDPIR is extended to all children in the household.
Income Chart: The following chart lists income levels according to household size and income levels received either yearly, monthly or weekly. If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below, your children may be eligible for free milk.
2024-2025 FREE ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART
Total Household Size
Annual
Monthly
Twice per Month
Every Two Weeks
Weekly
1
$ 19,578
$ 1,632
$ 816
$ 753
$ 377
2
$ 26,572
$ 2,215
$ 1,108
$ 1,022
$ 511
3
$ 33,566
$ 2,798
$ 1,399
$ 1,291
$ 646
4
$ 40,560
$ 3,380
$ 1,690
$ 1,560
$ 780
5
$ 47,554
$ 3,963
$ 1,982
$ 1,829
$ 915
6
$ 54,548
$ 4,546
$ 2,273
$ 2,098
$ 1,049
7
$ 61,542
$ 5,129
$ 2,565
$ 2,367
$ 1,184
8
$ 68,536
$ 5,712
$ 2,856
$ 2,636
$ 1,318
Each Add’l person, add
$ 6,994
$ 583
$ 292
$ 269
$ 135
Reporting Changes: The benefits that you are approved for at the time of application are effective for the entire school year. You no longer need to report changes for an increase in income or decrease in household size, or if you no longer receive SNAP.
Income Exclusions: The value of any child care provided or arranged, or any amount received as payment for such child care or reimbursement for costs incurred for such care under the Child Care Development (Block Grant) Fund should not be considered as income for this program.
Other Source Categorical Eligibility: When known to the School Food Authority, households will be notified of any child’s eligibility for free milk based on the individual child’s designation as Other Source Categorically Eligible, as defined by law. Households with children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant should contact the SFA for assistance in receiving benefits.
Foster Child: Your foster child may be eligible for free milk. Provide documentation from an appropriate State or local agency indicating the child’s status as foster. If you have questions, contact the school for help with the application. Foster children may also be included as a member of the foster family if the foster family chooses to also apply for benefits for other children. Including children in foster care as household members may help other children in the household qualify for benefits. If non-foster children in a foster family are not eligible for free milk benefits, an eligible foster child will still receive free milk benefits.
Children in households receiving Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits may be eligible for free or reduced price meals through the application process.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability or limited English proficiency.
Fair Hearing: If you do not agree with the school's decision on your application or the result of verification, you may wish to discuss it with the school. You also have the right to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling or writing the following official: Cristina Falbo, 585-394-4300 ext. 16.
Confidentiality: The United States Department of Agriculture has approved the release of students names and eligibility status, without parent/guardian consent, to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of federal education programs such as Title I and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which are United States Department of Education programs used to determine areas such as the allocation of funds to schools, to evaluate socioeconomic status of the school's attendance area, and to assess educational progress. Information may also be released to State health or State education programs administered by the State agency or local education agency, provided the State or local education agency administers the program, and federal State or local nutrition programs similar to the National School Lunch Program. Additionally, all information contained in the free and reduced price application may be released to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) or Child Nutrition Act (CNA); including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, the Special Milk Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC); the Comptroller General of the United States for audit purposes, and federal, State or local law enforcement officials investigating alleged violation of the programs under the NSLA or CNA.
The disclosure of eligibility information not specifically authorized by the NSLA requires a written consent statement from the parent/guardian.
Reapplication: You may apply for benefits any time during the school year. Also, if you are not eligible now, but during the school year become unemployed, have a decrease in household income, or an increase in family size you may request and complete application at that time.
You will be notified when the application is approved or denied. The information submitted on the application may be subject to verification. Please contact the school with any questions.
Sincerely,
Cristina Falbo, Principal
Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
[email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
- mail:
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