Katterbach: 09802-832-883 Illesheim: 09841-834-555
SY 2008-2009
Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
Applications should be submitted to the Free & Reduced Lunch Program Manager at your local ACS.
The Free and Reduced-Price meals in schools are a Federal Program administered by the Department of Agriculture under 7 CFR Chapter II, Part 245. This law establishes definitions, eligibility, and certification requirements pertaining to the program.
The program’s 12 month period runs from 01 July to 30 June the following year. Each year in the Federal Register (around 15 March), the Department publishes the Income Eligibility Guidelines for the coming year. The Alaska scale is used for USAREUR.
Families whose incomes are less than or equal to the reduced price criteria are eligible for either free or reduced-price meals.
Applications are verified at the time of submission. An incomplete application will contain a minimum of AE Form 352-1A. A temporary initial eligibility determination can be based solely on the application (AE Form 352-1A) but households are required to submit verification of eligibility information along with the application for continued eligibility. Continued eligibility cannot be approved without complete documentation:
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Complete a current application (AE Form 352-1A) including:
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The names of all household members.
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Provide the social security number and signature of either the primary wage earner or, if another household member signs the application, their social security number - the person signing the form must provide their Social Security number.
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Provide income information, i.e., a current leave and earnings statement (LES) of the military member(s), and a current wage statement from any other employed household member. Income should be identified by source (earnings, wages, welfare, pensions, support payments, unemployment compensation, social security, or other cash income and the frequency the income is received (weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month, monthly)
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Military orders bringing the Sponsor to Germany and the family travel orders of all family members. A birth certificate/passport will suffice for children born after arrival.
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A supplemental sheet listing other sources of income.
SURE START
Regardless of income, an application must be completed
for all children attending Sure-Start.
Information may be verified at any time during the school year.
Watch out for the Military’s Annual Pay Raise
Families in the program must notify the Free & Reduced Lunch Program Manager in ACS during the school year of any decrease in household size or of increases in income over $50.00 per month or $600.00 per year.
Applications may be made at any time during the school year as circumstances change, such as a dual income to single income, the birth of a child, or any event which puts the household income within the eligibility requirements.
In certain cases, foster children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals regardless of the income of the house where they reside. Households with foster children should contact the Free & Reduced Lunch program manager in Army Community Service.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or handicap.
Households may request a conference concerning a possible appeal of the initial denial of benefits decision with the Installation Commander or designated representative. Households may appeal regardless if they hold a conference or not.
Applications are retained for 3 years.
Fraud Penalties
Whoever embezzles, willfully misapplies, steals, or obtains by fraud any funds, assets, or property provided under this part, whether received directly or indirectly from the Department, shall-
(1) if such funds, assets, or property are of a value of $100 or more, be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned not more than five years or both; or
(2) if such funds, assets, or property are of a value less than $100, be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year or both.
DISCLOSURE of Social Security Number
Section 9 of the National School Lunch Act, as amended, requires that in order for your child to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, you must provide a social security number on the application. This may be the social security number of the parent or guardian who is the primary wage earner, the social security number of the adult household member signing the application, or an indication that neither possesses a social security number. Provision of a social security number is not mandatory, but if a social security number is not provided or an indication is not made that neither the primary wage earner nor the adult household member signing the application has one, the application cannot be approved. This notice must be brought to the attention of the household member whose social security number is disclosed. The social security number may be used to identify the household member in carrying out efforts to verify the correctness of information stated on the application.