N.J. Admin. Code § 2:36-1.5 - Free and reduced-price meal and/or free milk application
(a) The
Division shall prepare a household application form that shall be used by all
school districts. A copy of the application shall be provided to each district
upon approval of a web-based submission/certification of the accompanying
letter to parents.
(b) The parent
or guardian shall be given at least two weeks from the date of receipt of the
application to complete and submit the application to the school district which
must provide adequate assistance to parents in completing these
applications.
(c) Applications in
languages other than English must be provided by the school food authority
where non-English speaking parents are possible applicants. (An application in
Spanish is available from the Division of Food and Nutrition.) Other language
translations are available on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
website.
(d) Upon receipt of the
completed application, the district must determine each student's Federal
eligibility for a free or reduced-price meal and/or free milk from the
information submitted. Each student shall be offered free or reduced-price
meals and/or free milk as soon as Federal eligibility has been determined.
Students are eligible for school meal benefits or free milk for the school year
and up to 30 operating days in the subsequent school year. If the school has
reason to question the information provided, the student affected must continue
to receive the Federal free or reduced-price meals and/or free milk until
completion of the appeal procedures set forth in the sponsor's policy pursuant
to Federal regulations (7 CFR
245.7 Hearing Procedure for Families and
School Food Authorities).
(e) Local
officials may complete an application for a student believed to be eligible if
the household fails to apply. The school official must complete an application
on behalf of the student based on the best household size and income
information available to the school official. The source of the information
must be noted on the application. This option is intended for limited use in
individual situations and must not be used to make eligibility determinations
for categories or groups of students.
(f) If the student is found to be Federally
ineligible for free or reduced-price school meals, the district must then
determine the student's eligibility for a State-funded free lunch, pursuant to
N.J.S.A.
18A:33-4.a, in accordance
with the State-specified income eligibility guidelines described
therein.
Notes
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