Free & Reduced Meal applications are available by calling (210) 397-4517.  Reapplication must occur each year and be within 30 days of the first day of school. If you do not have a current application on file, meal benefits will expire on the 31st day after the first day of school, which means that students will be charged full price for school meals after October 9th. The Free & Reduced office hours will be Mon - Fri 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Meal benefits will expire on October 9 if there is not a current 2007-2008 meal application on file at the Free and Reduced Department.

Income Eligibility Chart

Northside Independent School District
Letter to Households (Multi-Child)
National School Lunch/Breakfast Program
School Year 2007-2008

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The Northside Independent School District offers a choice of healthy meals each school day.  Children may buy lunch for $1.75/$2.00, breakfast for 75¢/85¢.  Children who qualify under U.S. Dept. of Agriculture guidelines may get meals free or at a reduced price of 40¢ for lunch, 30¢ for breakfast.  All meals served must meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  If a child has a disability, as determined by a doctor, and the disability prevents the child from eating the regular school meal, the school will make substitutions prescribed by the doctor.  If a substitution is needed, there will be no extra charge for the meal.  Please note, however, that the school is not required to make a substitution for a food allergy, unless it meets the definition of disability.  Please call the school for further information.
Your children can get free school meals if you get food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Depending on your income, your children may be eligible for free or reduced price meals.

How do I get free or reduced price school meals for my children?  You must complete an Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals Form and return it to the school or to the Child Nutrition Free and Reduced office at 7520 Mainland, San Antonio, Texas 78250.

Will the form be verified? Your eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send written evidence that shows that your children should get free or
reduced price school meals.


    Can I appeal the schools decision? You can talk to school officials if you do not agree with the
    school's decision on your form.  You may also ask for a fair hearing by calling or writing to:

    George Torres, Deputy Superintendent for Business and Financial Services
    7520 Mainland Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78250 Phone: 210.397.4517

Will information on my form be kept confidential? We will use the information on your form to
decide if your children should get free or reduced price meals.  We may inform officials with other
child nutrition, health and educational programs of the information on your form to determine benefits for those programs or for funding and/or evaluation purposes.

Can I apply for free and reduced price meals later?  You may apply for free and reduced price meals at any time during the school year.  If you are not eligible now but have a change, like a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, become unemployed or get food stamps or TANF, complete another form then.

We will let you know if you are approved or denied.

Sincerely,
John Thomas
Child Nutrition Director

Our services are provided through the Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Texas Department of Agriculture 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 Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Application Instructions (Multi-Child)
FAXED APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
Please complete the Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals Form using the instructions below.  Sign the form and return it to the school or mail it to Child Nutrition, 7520 Mainland Dr., San Antonio, TX 78250.  If you need help, call: Tel. No. 210.397.4517

1 (a-e)    CHILD INFORMATION:  Print the names of your children.  If you are applying for school meals, include the
                children's grades and name of school.

2           FOSTER CHILD:  Complete this part and sign the form in #5.
(a)           Write the foster child's monthly "personal use" income.  Write "0" if the foster child does not get "personal use"
                income.
(b)           Sign the form in #5.  An adult household member must sign.  You do not have to list a social security number.
(c)           Complete a separate form for each foster child.

3             OTHER BENEFITS:  Complete this Part and sign the form in #5.
(a)           If you are applying for school meals, list your current food stamp or TANF case number for your child.
(b)          Sign the form in #5.  An adult household member must sign.  You do not have to list a social security number.

4             ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS:  Complete this Part and sign the form in #5.
(a)           Write the names of everyone in your household even if they do not have an income.  Include yourself, your spouse,
                the child you are applying for and all other household members.
(b)           Write the amount of income each person received last month before taxes or anything else was taken out and where it
                came from, such as earnings, welfare, pensions, and other income (see example below for types of income to
                report).  Each income amount should be entered in the appropriate column on the form.  If any amount last month
                was more of less than usual, write that person's usual monthly income.
(c)            If anyone is self-employed, write the amount of income the person earns from self-employment; for example, income
                from operating a farm.  Please call the number at the top of the form if you need help.
(d)            Sign the form and indicate your social security number in #5. If you do not have a social security number, write
                "none".

5            SIGNATURE AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
(a)         The form must have the signature of an adult household member.
(b)         The adult household member who signs the statement must include his/her social security number.  If he/she does
              not have a social security number, write "none".  A social security number is not needed if you listed a food stamp
              or TANF case number or if you are applying for a foster child.
INCOME TO REPORT
Earnings From Work Pensions/Retrirement/Social Security Other Monthly Income Self-employment
Wages/salaries/tips Pensions Disability benefits
Strike benefits Supplemental Security Income Cash withdrawn from savings
Unemployment Compensation Retirement Income Interest/dividends
Workers Compensation Veteran's payments Income from estates/trusts/ Investments
Net income from self owned 
  business, day care business or farm		 Social Security Regular contributions from persons not living in the household
Net royalties/annuities/net rental income
Welfare/Child Support Alimony Military allowance for off base housing
Public assistance payments Any other income
Welfare payments
Alimony/child support payments

Privacy Act Statement:    Unless you list the child's food stamp or TANF case number or are applying for a foster child.  Section 9 of the National School Lunch Act requires that you include the social security number of the household member signing the form or indicate that the household member signing the form does not have a social security number.  You do not have to list a social security number, but if a social security number is not listed or an indication is not made that the adult household member signing the form does not have a social security number, we cannot approve the form.  The social security number may be used to identify the household member in verifying the correctness of the information stated on the form.  This may include program reviews, audits, and investigations and may include contacting employers to determine income, contacting a food stamp or TANF office to determine current certification for food stamps or TANF benefits, contacting the State employment security office to determine the amount of benefits received and checking the documentation produced by the household member to prove the amount of income received.  These efforts may result in a loss or reduction of benefits, administrative claims, or legal actions if incorrect information is reported.  The social security number may also be disclosed  to programs as authorized under the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act, the Comptroller General of the the United States, and law enforcement officials for the purpose of investigating violations of certain Federal, State and local education, health and nutrition programs.

Our services are provided through the Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition programs funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Texas Department of Agriculture 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 Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

ATTENCION: Para obtener comidas gratis o a precios reducidos para sus hijos, usted debe llenar una solicitud y en viarla a la escuela.  Para ayuda en llenar la hage el favor de llamar a la oficina de servicio 210.397.4517.