LISD Releases Policy for Free Meal Plans for Eligible Students

The Lubbock Independent School District has released policy guidelines for free or reduced-price meal options for current LISD students.

To be eligible, students must meet certain criteria that’s outlined in a policy that’s available upon request at any LISD school or the LISD central office, located at 2010 Cesar East Chavez Drive. Eligibility requirements include appropriate household income, enrollment in certain government assistance programs, or a child’s status as a foster child or a runaway, to name a few.

If a family is not initially eligible for free or reduced-price meal options for their child at school, they may become eligible if a member of the family becomes unemployed or if the household size increases. Below is the complete press release by LISD:

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

Income

1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels

Categorical or Automatic Eligibility

2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Program Participant

3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Lori Torres, Lubbock ISD Free and Reduced Clerk, (806) 219-0717. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for“No Social Security number”
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility

Lubbock ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. The district will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact Ms. Torres.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should also contact Ms. Torres.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

Determining Eligibility

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Ms. Torres will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Kelley Lewis, Director of Purchasing and Contract Services, 1628 19th St., Lubbock, Texas 79401, (806) 219-0260.

Unexpected Circumstances

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.