Canadian ISD announces information about free and reduced-price school meals for school year 2023-24

The following documents are presented in both English and Spanish.

#1 (below) is a WORD document letter to parents and guardians of children explaining who is eligible for free or reduced-price meals. #2 is the Spanish version.

#3 is a WORD document in English for instructions in applying for free and reduced-price school meals. The Spanish version (2 pages) has two attached images with the web post.

The next attached images are the English and Spanish versions of the application for free and reduced-price school meals. Each has two pages.

Last is an image of the Eligibility Guidelines.

For more information, contact the Food Service Director at Canadian ISD at 806.323.1007 or email at lydia.nix@canadianisd.net.

#1 Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. Canadian ISD offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.25; and lunch costs $2.20 for pre-K through 5th grade; and $2.35 for 6th through 12th grade. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. The reduced-price is 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. If you received a notification letter that a child is directly certified for free or reduced-price meals, do not complete an application. Let the school know if any children in the household attending school are not listed in the letter.

The questions and answers that follow and attached directions provide additional information on how to complete the application. Complete only one application for all the students in the household and return the completed application. If you have questions about applying for free or reduced-price meals, contact Lydia Nix, Food Service Director for Canadian ISD at lydia.nix@canadianisd.net; 806.323.1007.

• Who Can Get Free Meals?
• Income—Children can get free or reduced-price meals if a household’s gross income is within the limits described in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
• Special Assistance Program Participants—Children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program for Households on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are eligible for free meals.
• Foster—Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
• Head Start or Early Head Start—Children participating in these programs are eligible for free meals.
• Homeless, Runaway, and Migrant—Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven’t been told about a child’s status as homeless, runaway, or migrant or you feel a child may qualify for one of these programs, please call or email .
• WIC Recipient—Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
• What If I Disagree with the School’s Decision About My Application? Talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to .
• My Child’s Application Was Approved Last Year. Do I Need to Fill Out A New One? Yes. An application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. Send in a new application unless the school has told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.

#2 Estimado Padre/Madre/Guardián:

Los niños necesitan comida sana para aprender ofrece alimentación sana todos los días escolares. El desayuno cuesta: $1.25; y el almuerzo cuesta: $2.20 pre-K – 5to grado; and $2.35 6to – 12to grado. Sus niños podrían calificar para recibir comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido. El precio reducido es 30 centavos para el desayuno y 40 centavos para el almuerzo. Si usted ha recibido una carta de notificación (de certificación directa) que indica que un niño califica para recibir comida gratuita, no llene una solicitud. Reporte a la escuela si hay niños en el hogar asistiendo a la escuela, pero que no se incluyeron en esta carta de certificación.
 

Las siguientes preguntas y respuestas, y las instrucciones adjuntas, proporcionan información adicional para como completar la solicitud.  Complete sola una solicitud para todos los estudiantes en el hogar y entregue la solicitud completa a  Si tiene preguntas sobre como solicitar comida gratuita o de precio reducido, póngase en contacto con .
¿Quién puede recibir comida gratuita?

• Ingresos— Los niños pueden recibir comida gratuita o a precio reducido si el ingreso bruto del hogar se encuentra debajo de los límites de las Guías Federales de Elegibilidad por Ingresos.
• Participantes de programas especiales — Todos los niños en los hogares que reciben beneficios del Programa de Asistencia de Nutrición Suplementaria (SNAP), del Programa de Distribución de Alimentos en Reservaciones Indígenas (FDPIR), o del programa de Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF), califican para comida gratuita.
• Los Niños Adoptivos Temporales (Foster Children)— Los niños adoptivos temporales (foster children) que está bajo la responsabilidad legal de una agencia de cuidado temporal (foster care agency) o de una corte.
• Head Start o Early Head Start—Los niños que participan en Head Start, Early Head Start y Even Start también califican para recibir comida gratuita.
• Los Niños Sin Hogar, Fugitivo y Migrante—Los niños sin hogar, que son fugitivos o que son migrantes califican para recibir comida gratuita. Si usted cree que hay niño(s) en su hogar que cumplen con estas descripciones, y si no le han dicho que el niño es considerado como persona sin hogar, fugitivo o migrante, por favor llame o envíe un correo electrónico a
• Beneficiarios del Programa WIC—Los niños que viven en hogares que participan en el programa WIC pueden ser elegibles para recibir comida gratuita o a precio reducido.
• ¿Qué sucede si no estoy de acuerdo con la decisión de la escuela sobre mi solicitud? Debe hablar con los funcionarios escolares. También, puede apelar la decisión llamando o escribiendo al
• La solicitud de mi hijo fue aprobada el año pasado. ¿Necesito llenar otra solicitud? Sí. La solicitud de su hijo es válida solo por un año escolar y los primeros días del año escolar actual. Debe entregar una solicitud nueva a menos de que la escuela le informó que su hijo es elegible para el nuevo año escolar.
• Si no califico ahora, ¿puedo solicitar más adelante? Sí. Puede solicitar en cualquier momento durante el año escolar. Un niño con un padre, madre o guardián que pierde su trabajo puede calificar para recibir comida gratuita o a precio reducido si el ingreso del hogar cae debajo del límite del ingreso establecido.
• ¿Qué pasa si mi ingreso no es igual siempre? Reporte la cantidad que recibe normalmente. Si un miembro del hogar perdió un trabajo o le han reducido sus horas o su sueldo, use el ingreso actual. 
• Estamos en las fuerzas armadas. ¿Tenemos que declarar nuestro ingreso diferente? Su sueldo básico y los bonos en efectivo tienen que ser reportados como ingresos.  Si recibe unos subsidios para vivienda fuera de la base militar, comida y ropa, o recibe pagos de Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA), tiene que incluirlos como ingresos.   Si su vivienda es parte de la Iniciativa Privatizada de Vivienda Militar (Military Housing Privatization Initiative), no incluya este subsidio de vivienda como ingreso. Además, no cuente cualquier pago de combate adicional debido al despliegue militar como ingreso.
• ¿Puedo solicitar si un miembro de mi hogar no es ciudadano estadounidense?  Sí. Usted, sus hijos, u otros miembros de su hogar no tienen que ser ciudadanos estadounidenses para calificar para recibir comida gratuita o a precio reducido.
• ¿Van a verificar la información que yo doy? Sí. También podemos pedir prueba escrita del ingreso del hogar que usted reporta.       
• Mi familia necesita ayuda adicional. ¿Existen otros programas a los que podríamos solicitar? Para enterarse de cómo solicitar otros beneficios de ayuda, llame a la oficina local de asistencia al 2-1-1.
• ¿Puedo solicitar por internet?         NO     

Si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita ayuda, llame al    CANADIAN ISD FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR LYDIA NIX  806-323-1007    .

Atentamente,

Conforme con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles. 

La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés.  Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339.

Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea, en https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/ad-3027s.pdf , de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por: (1) correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o (3) correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov. Esta entidad es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.

#3 Instructions for Applying for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, 2023-2024

Please use these instructions to complete the free or reduced-price school meals application. Submit one application per household, even if the children in the household attend more than one school in Canadian ISD. Please use a pen (not a pencil) when completing the application. The application must be filled out completely in order for the school to make a determination if the children in your household qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. An incomplete application cannot be approved. Please contact   FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR LYDIA NIX;  806-323-1007;  LYDIA.NIX@CANADIANISD.NET  with your questions.

Step 1: List All Household Members Who Are Infants, Children, And Students Up to and Including Grade 12.

• List each child’s name.
• Print first name, middle initial, and last name for each child in the household in the spaces. If there are more children than lines, use the back of the application to record additional names.
• Include all household members who are age 18 or under and are supported with the household’s income including children who are not enrolled in the district. Children do NOT have to be related to anyone in the household to be a part of the household.
• Mark the box following the child’s name to show if the child is a student in the  CANADIAN ISD  .
• Record the child’s grade if the child is in school.
• Check the appropriate box if a child qualifies for free meals as participant in the foster care system, Head Start (including Early Head Start) or if a child meets the criteria for homeless, migrant, or runaway.

Checking Foster indicates that a foster care agency or court has placed the child in your home. If the application is being submitted for foster children only, complete Step 1, skip Steps 2-3, and complete Step 4.

Step 2: Participating in a Categorical Eligibility Program

• Do any household members (including you) currently participate in SNAP, TANF, and/or FDPIR?
• If a child or adult in the household participates in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), record the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number in the space.
• If a child or adult in the household is a participant in Food Distribution Program for Households on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), circle YES to indicate participation. The  CANADIAN ISD   will contact you to obtain documentation of FDPIR participation.
• If the students in the household are eligible based on SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, skip Steps 3, and complete Step 4.
• If any children in the household are participants in one of the following programs—Foster, Head Start, Homeless, Migrant, or Runaway, skip Steps 3 and complete Step 4.

Step 3:  Report Income for All Household Members

  Part A. Last Four Digits of Social Security Number (SSN) of an Adult Household Member

• Provide the last four digits of the Social Security number (SSN) of an adult in the household or check the box for no SSN. A social security number is not required to apply for these programs.

Part B. Income for All Adult Household Members (including yourself)

• Record the first and last name of each adult in the household in the space provided.
• If there are more adults in the household than available spaces, use the back of the application.
• Include all adults living in the household that share income and expenses, even if the adult is not related to anyone in the household and does not receive any income. Do not include adults that are not supported by the household’s income and do not contribute income to the household.
• Record the amount of income the adult receives under the type of income: Working Earnings; Public Assistance/Child Support/Alimony; Pensions/ Retirement/Social Security/Supplemental Security Income (SSI); and All Other.
• Report all amounts in gross income only and in whole dollars. Gross income is the total income received before taxes or deductions. Ensure that the income reported has not been reduced by the amounts deducted for taxes, insurance premiums, or any other purpose. The Adult Income Information Box (next page) provides additional information on the types of income that need to be reported. Foster children may be included as a member of the household or may be included on a separate application.
• Write a 0 in any field where there is no income to report. If you write 0 or leave any fields blank, you are certifying (promising) that there is no income to report. If local officials have known or available information that the household income was reported incorrectly, the application will be verified for cause.
• Select how often each type of income is received (frequency).
  W = Weekly, E = Every 2 Weeks, T = Twice per Month, M = Monthly, A = Annually

Part C. Income for Children in the Household

• Record total income for all children in the household who receive regular income by how often income is received (frequency). The Child Income Information Box (below) provides additional information on the types of income that needs to be reported for children in the household.
• Do not annualize income to determine eligibility unless more than one income frequency is listed.
  Annual Income Conversion: weekly x 52, every two weeks x 26, twice a month x 24, monthly x 12.

Part D. Total Household Members

• Record the total number of children and adults in the household in the appropriate box. This number MUST be equal to the number of household members listed in Step 1 and Step 3. It is very important to list all household members as the size of the household determines the household eligibility.

Step 4: Provide Contact Information and Adult Signature

• Read the certification statement.
• Write your current address and contact information in the space provided. Sharing a phone number, email address, or both is optional, but helps us reach you quickly if we need to contact you. If you have no permanent address, this does not make your children ineligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
• Print the name of the adult signing the form, sign the form, and record today’s date in the appropriate spaces.
• All applications must be signed by an adult household member. By signing the application, the household member is promising that all information has been truthfully and completely reported. Before completing this section, please read the privacy and civil rights statements on the back of the application.

Mutli-Use Application – Step 5 (Optional): Sharing Information with Other Programs

• Completing this section will not change whether your children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
• To provide your permission to share household information provided on the application with other programs, you MUST select/circle the program(s) or benefit(s) from the list.

NONPUBLIC SCHOOL APPLICATION – Step 5 (Optional): Race and Ethnicity

• Completing this section is optional and does not affect your children’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.
• Select the child’s ethnicity (select only one option)
• Select the child’s race (select all that apply)

Return the Application

• Return the application to FOOD SERVICE DIRECTOR LYDIA NIX BES CAFETERIA, and/or your child’s school.

The income eligibility guidelines (right) are based on 130% (free) and 185% (reduced) of the federal poverty guidelines and are effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.