Breakfast and lunch meals are free to all students, UPK-12 in Glens Falls City Schools. Our district qualifies for Community Eligibility (CEP), which provides one complete breakfast and lunch for every student, every school day, regardless of family income, and without enrollment paperwork. **It is still important for families to fill out the free lunch application so that the district can receive grant funding and additional support from the federal government that is based on overall family income.**
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Apply: To get free or reduced price meals for your children carefully complete one application following the instructions for your household and return it to the designated office listed on the application. If you now receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) for any children, or participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the application must include the children’s names, the household SNAP, TANF or FDPIR case number and the signature of an adult household member. All children should be listed on the same application. If you do not list a SNAP, TANF or FDPIR case number for any household member, the application must include the names of everyone in the household, the amount of income each household member, and how often it is received and where it comes from. It must include the signature of an adult household member and the last four digits of that adult’s social security number, or check the box if the adult does not have a social security number. An application that is not complete cannot be approved. Contact your local Department of Social Services for your SNAP or TANF case number or complete the income portion of the application. 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.
Reporting Changes: The benefits that you are approved for at the time of application are effective for the entire school year. You no longer need to report changes for an increase in income or decrease in household size, or if you no longer receive SNAP.
Income Exclusions: The value of any child care provided or arranged, or any amount received as payment for such child care or reimbursement for costs incurred for such care under the Child Care Development (Block Grant) Fund should not be considered as income for this program.
In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability
Nondiscrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your complete form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-941 O; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Meal Service to Children with Disabilities: Federal regulations require schools and institutions to serve meals at no extra charge to children with a disability with may restrict their diet. A student with a disability is defined in 7CFR Part 15b. 3 of Federal regulations, as one who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities are defined to include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking. seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. You must request the special meals from the school and provide the school with medical certification from a medical doctor. If you believe your child needs substitutions because of a disability. please get in touch with us for further information, as there is specific information that the medical certification must contain.
Confidentiality: The United States Department of Agriculture has approved the release of students names and eligibility status, without parent/guardian consent, to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of federal education programs such as Title I and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which are United States Department of Education programs used to determine areas such as the allocation of funds to schools, to evaluate socioeconomic status of the school’s attendance area, and to assess educational progress. Information may also be released to State health or State education programs administered by the State agency or local education agency, provided the State or local education agency administers the program, and federal State or local nutrition programs similar to the National School Lunch Program. Additionally, all information contained in the free and reduced price application may be released to persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) or Child Nutrition Act (CNA); including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, the Special Milk Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC); the Comptroller General of the United States for audit purposes, and federal, State or local law enforcement officials investigating alleged violation of the programs under the NSLA or CNA.
Reapplication: You may apply for benefits any time during the school year. Also, if you are not eligible now, but during the school year you become unemployed, have a decrease in household income, or an increase in family size you may request and complete an application at that time.
The disclosure of eligibility information not specifically authorized by the NSLA requires a written consent statement from the parent/guardian. We will let you know when your application is approved or denied.
Consent Decree
If your child is eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk, he/she also may be eligible for other benefits. To receive these benefits, you must provide written consent to permit school officials to give your name, address, and an indication that your household is eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk, to representatives of certain programs. Failure to sign a consent statement that will allow disclosure of this information will not affect your child’s eligibility or participation in the school meals or milk programs.
Some of the programs that may request names and eligibility information to be used to provide benefits, and for which parent/guardian consent is required, include: federal health insurance programs such as Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance program (CHIP), other federal programs, State programs, local health and education programs and other local activities. For example, the disclosure of children’s eligibility for free and reduced price meals or free milk to determine eligibility for free text books, free band instruments, holiday baskets, school supplies, etc., or reduced fees for summer school or driver education programs, would require written consent by the child’s parent/guardian.
If you wish to provide consent to release information contained in your child’s free and reduced price meal application, to receive other benefits, please complete the Consent to Release Free or Reduced Price Eligibility Information.