MONROE — The School District of Monroe announced its policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program or milk. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy. 

Application forms are being sent to homes with a notice to parents or guardians. To apply, households must fill out the application and return it to the school, unless notified that children are eligible through direct certification. Additional copies are available. The information on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified during the school year by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time. 

To obtain free or reduced price meals or free milk for children in a household where one or more household members receive FoodShare, FDPIR or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, program name, list the names of all school children, sign the application and return it to the school. 

For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals or free milk of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide the following information: names of all household members, total number of household members and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number or mark the box to the right of “Check if no SSN.” Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source, wages, welfare, child support etc. 

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal and free milk policy, the Food Service Director will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Ron Olson, Business Administrator, 925 16th Avenue Suite 3, Monroe, WI or call 608-328-7148. 

If a hearing is needed to appeal, the policy contains an outline of the procedure. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. If the household income falls, they may reapply at that time. 

Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application. Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children. 

The information provided by the household on the application is confidential. Public Law 103-448 limits the release of student free and reduced-price school meal eligibility status to persons directly connected with the administration and enforcement of federal or state educational programs. Consent of the parent/guardian is needed for other purposes.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication should contact the agency where they applied. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program complaint complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 found at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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; fax: 202-690-7442 or email: program.intake@usda.gov.