Free & Reduced Meals
Free & Reduced Meals
Kennedale ISD has returned to charging for school meals and offering free and reduced-price meals based on student eligibility. Families are encouraged to complete the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals at http://schoollunchapp.com/ and submit the form online or to any school office.
The application will determine a child’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and may assist in the determination of eligibility for other state or federal benefits. Only one application needs to be completed per household. Schools will notify the household of the child’s eligibility. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers school nutrition programs in Texas and offers an eligibility calculator www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility.
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.
Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:
Income Eligibility
1. Household income is at or below the income eligibility levels.
Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
2. Households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
- Kennedale ISD is currently working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible and will mail notification letters to households that do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should or would like to decline benefits can contact the Child Nutrition Office at 817-563-8014.
Program Participant Eligibility
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster.
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start.
Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Laurie Humiston, Child Nutrition Director, will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may call or email:
817-563-8014
childnutritionservices@kisdtx.net
Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the current income eligibility guidelines.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.