Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. School District of Upper Moreland Township offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.00; lunch costs Elementary $1.80, Middle School $2.00 & High School $2.50. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.

1.     Do I need to fill out an application for each child?  No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Cynthia Dawso Van Druff, Director, U.M. Food Services, 2900 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, Pa 19090– 215-830-1522.  Families can also apply online for free or reduced school meals, and other assistance benefits, at www.compass.state.pa.us or print off your own application at Free and Reduced and return by August 22, 2011.

2.   WHO SHOULD I INCLUDE AS MEMBERS OF MY HOUSEHOLD?  You must include all those living in your household, related or not, who share income and expenses.

3.   Who can get free meals?All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.

4.   CAN FOSTER CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?YES, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals.  Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income and should be included on the household application.  They are no longer considered a household of one.

5.   SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS?  Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions.  Call the school at 215-830-1522 if you have questions.  

6.   MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR.  DO I NEED TO FILL OUT ANOTHER ONE?  Yes.  Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first 30 operating days of this school year.  You must send in a new application by September 30, 2011 unless the school told you that your child has been directly certified for free meals for the new school year. 

7.   I GET WIC.  CAN MY CHILD(REN) GET FREE MEALS?  Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals.  Please fill out an application.

8.  WILL THE INFORMATION i GIVE BE CHECKED? Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.

9.   IF I DON'T QUALIFY FNOW, MAY I APPLY LATER? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year.  For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

10.  WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE SCHOOL'S DECISION ABOUT MY APPLICATION? You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Dr. Robert Milrod, Superintendent, 215-830-1511, rmilrod@umtsd.org.

11.   MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?  Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced price meals. 

12.   WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you make $1000 per month.  If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes.  If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

13.  WE ARE IN THE MILITARY. DO WE INCLUDE OUR HOUSING ALLOWANCE AS INCOME? If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.

14. MY SPOUSE IS DEPLOYED TO A COMBAT ZONE. IS HER COMBAT PAY COUNTED AS INCOME?  No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic pay because of her deployment and it wasn’t received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income.  Contact your school for more information.

15.  MY FAMILY NEEDS MORE HELP. ARE THERE OTHER PROGRAMS WE MIGHT APPLY FOR? To find out how to apply for SNAP or other assistance benefits, contact your local county assistance office or call 1-800-692-7462 (1-800-451-5886 TDD number for individuals with hearing impairments).   If you have other questions or need help, call 215-830-1522.  Si necesita ayuda, por favor llame al teléfono: 215-830-1522. Si vous voudriez d’aide, contactez nous au numero : 215-830-1522.

FEDERAL ELIGIBILITY INCOME CHART For School Year 2011-2012
Household size	Yearly	Monthly	Weekly
1	$20,147	$1,679	$   388
2	$27,214	$2,268	$   524
3	$34,281	$2,857	$   660
4	$41,348	$3,446	$   796
5	$48,415	$4,035	$   932
6	$55,482	$4,624	$1,067
7	$62,549	$5,213	$1,203
8	$69,616	$5,802	$1,339
Each additional person:	+$7,067	+$589	+$136

Your children may qualify for reduced price or free meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.

Please return completed application by

August 22, 2011 to: Upper Moreland

2900 Terwood Road, WG PA 19090

Attn: Food Services

Sincerely,                                                                                                 

Michael J. Braun, Business Manager/Board Secretary

Privacy Act Statement: This explains how we will use the information you give us.

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced price meals.  You must include the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application.  The last four digits of the social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number.  We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

Non-discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. “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 Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  Individuals who are hearing impaired 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.”