Free Meals

Family              Annual         Gross Monthly         Gross Weekly

Members:        Income:       Income:                   Income:

1                     $14,521       $1,211                     $280

2                       19,669         1,640                       379

3                       24,817         2,069                       478

4                       29,965         2,498                       577

5                       35,113         2,927                       676

6                       40,261         3,356                       775

7                       45,409         3,785                       874

8                       50,557         4,214                       973

Each add'l family member

                       $+5,148        $+429                    $+99

Reduced Price Meals

Family              Annual         Gross Monthly         Gross Weekly

Members:        Income:       Income:                   Income:

1                     $20,665       $1,723                    $398

2                       27,991         2,333                      539

3                       35,317         2,944                      680

4                       42,643         3,554                      821

5                       49,969         4,165                      961

6                       57,295         4,775                      1,102

7                       64,621         5,386                      1,243

8                       71,947         5,996                      1,384

Each add'l family member

                       $+7,326        $+611                    $ +141

To determine annual income:

If income is received:         Multiply by:

Weekly                               52

Every Two Weeks              26

Monthly                              12

Madison Public Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program. Meals are served every school day. Students may buy lunch for $2.75 at the elementary level; $3.00 at the lower middle school; $3.25 at the upper middle school and the high school. Meals are also available free or at a reduced price ($.40).

Local school officials have adopted the following family size and income criteria for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal's office at each school. The information provided on each application is confidential and will be used only for the purposes of determining eligibility, and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Application forms for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps) or Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) households require the child's name, the child's SNAP/TFA case number, and the signature of an adult household member. Households receiving assistance under the SNAP/TFA programs will be notified of their eligibility and their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving SNAP benefits or TFA for their children should only submit an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by Sept. 16, 2012. Households receiving SNAP benefits or TFA for their children may receive a direct certification letter from the Department of Social Services. These letters will automatically qualify a child for free meals and may be submitted instead of an application to the school. Application forms for all other households require a statement of the total household income, household size, and names of all household members. The social security number of an adult household member must be included or a statement that the household member does not possess one. The adult household member must also sign the application certifying that the information provided is correct. In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for these benefits. If a family has a foster child living with them who is a legal ward of the State of Connecticut, that child is considered a family of one, and monthly personal income from the State must be reported.

Under the provisions of the policy for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals, the Director of Administrative Services will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis.

If he/she wishes to make a formal appeal, a request either orally or in writing may be made to Thomas R. Scarice, superintendent, for a hearing to appeal the decision.

The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure. Each school and the central office of the school district have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by an interested party.

If a household member becomes unemployed, or if household size changes at any time, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDAQ is an equal opportunity provider and employer.