Pennsylvania Department of Education, USDA announce new guidelines for free and reduced-price meals in schools

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals and free milk for July 2015 – June 2016.

Schools and other institutions and facilities use the guidelines to determine eligibility for the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.

Households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) need only include the SNAP or TANF case number on their application. Households enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) also may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals and should complete a Household Meal Benefit Application. Households apply through their schools at the start of the school year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department.  (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil rights program compliant of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination complaint form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.  You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form.  Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.  20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For more information on school nutrition, visit www.education.pa.gov, and enter the search term "school nutrition."

MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman, 717-783-9802

The following annual income eligibility guidelines are effective July 1, 2015 until further notice:

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us