Pine Bush CSD offers eligibility for free school meals

Posted 9/2/21

The Pine Bush Central School District today announced a free and reduced price meal policy for Pine Bush CSD area schoolchildren. Local school officials have adopted the following family eligibility …

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Pine Bush CSD offers eligibility for free school meals

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The Pine Bush Central School District today announced a free and reduced price meal policy for Pine Bush CSD area schoolchildren. Local school officials have adopted the following family eligibility criteria to assist them in determining eligibility [See chart].

SNAP/TANF/FDPIR Households

Households that currently include children who receive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) but who are not found during the Direct Certification Matching Process (DCMP), or households that currently receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) must complete an application listing the child’s name, a valid SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number and the signature of an adult household member. Eligibility for free meal benefits based on participation in SNAP, TANF or FDPIR is extended to all children in the household. When known to the School Food Authority, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free meals based on their participation in the SNAP, TANF or the FDPIR programs. No application is necessary if the household was notified by the SFA their children have been directly certified. If the household is not sure if their children have been directly certified, the household should contact the school.


Other Source Categorical Eligibility


When known to the School Food Authority, households will be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals based on the individual child’s designation as Other Source Categorically Eligible, as defined by law. Children are determined Other Source Categorically Eligible if they are Homeless, Migrant, Runaway, A foster child, or Enrolled in Head Start or an eligible pre-kindergarten program.

Other Households

Households with income the same or below the amounts listed above for family size may be eligible for and are urged to apply for free and/or reduced price meals (or free milk). They may do so by completing the application sent home with the letter to parents. One application for all children in the household should be submitted. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year to Lyn Prestia, Director School Nutrition Programs. Please contact Lyn Prestia at (845) 744-2031 ext 2809 with any questions regarding the application process.

Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the School Food Authority if they choose to decline the free meal benefits. Households may apply for benefits at any time throughout the school year. Children of parents or guardians who become unemployed or experience a financial hardship mid-year may become eligible for free and reduced price meals at any point during the school year.

For up to 30 operating days into the new school year (or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first) an individual child’s free or reduced price eligibility status from the previous year will continue within the same SFA. When the carryover period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the children’s meals must be claimed at the paid rate.

The School Food Authority does, however, have the right to verify at any time during the school year the information on the application.

Foster children are eligible for free meal benefits. A separate application for a foster child is no longer necessary.

Under the provisions of the policy, the designated official will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the designated official, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing to appeal the decision. Michael Pacella, Asst Supt of Business, whose address is 118 Rte. 302, Pine Bush NY 12566, has been designated as the Hearing Official. Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. However, prior to initiating the hearing procedure, the parent or School Food Authority may request a conference to provide an opportunity for the parent and official to discuss the situation, present information, and obtain an explanation of the data submitted in the application or the decisions rendered. The request for a conference shall not in any way prejudice or diminish the right to a fair hearing.