The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2004 authorizes the certification of 2004-05 free and reduced-price meal benefits for the entire school year. The HOUSEHOLDS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO NOTIFY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN:
· The household income is increased.
· The household is no longer eligible for food stamps.
· The number in the household decreases.
However this CHANGE DOES NOT APPLY under the following circumstances:
· The original eligibility certification of household was incorrect.
· The verification of a household’s eligibility does not support the benefits being received.
· A household has been temporarily approved for benefits.
A household may SUBMIT an application ANYTIME OF YEAR if the new application would qualify them for INCREASED benefits. If the household summits an application later in the year that would decrease the benefits, the district may do the following:
· The family may be given the option to continue with the benefits approved at the beginning of the year or choose the reduced benefits.
· The district may decide to provide the family a notification that the eligibility for increased benefits established at the beginning of the school year is good for the entire year and that no action will be taken on the second application.
For the 2004-05 school year, school districts may use a variety of methods to notify households and the community of this change in regulation, i.e. note to household, newspaper article, announcement at parent meetings, etc.