The Hernando County School Board's food and nutrition department has announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals.
Application forms will be given to all district students, which includes a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Copies are also available at the principal's office at each school. Applications may be submitted any time during the year.
Examples of income eligibility guidelines through June 30 include:
For free meals for a household of two, the maximum annual salary is $18,200 ($350 weekly); for a household of four, the maximum annual salary is $27,560 ($530 weekly).
For reduced-price meals for a household of two, the maximum annual salary is $25,900 ($499 weekly); for a household of four, it's $39,220 annually ($755 weekly). These amounts are gross salaries (before taxes and other deductions).
Households that receive food stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families are required to list only the child's name and food stamp or TANF case number on the application along with the signature of an adult household member.
Foster children may receive benefits based on the child's personal income, regardless of the income of the household.
To determine eligibility for all other households, information required with the application includes total monthly household income, names of all household members, Social Security number of the adult signing the application and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information is correct.
For information, call (352) 797-7028. Households with children who are considered migrants, homeless or runaway should call the district liaison at (352) 797-7008, ext. 235.
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