The Sealy Independent School District recently announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under income eligibility guidelines.

Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request. Starting on Aug. 6, Selman Elementary, Sealy Elementary, Sealy Junior High, and Sealy High School will begin distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for the benefits. Applications also are available at 1741 Hwy. 90 W, 723 FM 2187, 939 Tiger Lane, and 2372 Championship Drive, Sealy.

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 Annette Strayer, Food Service Supervisor; 979-885-3516 ext. 7003, astrayer@sealyisd.com. 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”; and

4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility

Sealy ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Sealy ISD will notify the households of those 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 Annette Strayer.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Strayer at 979-885-3516 ext. 7003, or astrayer@sealyisd.com.

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, Food Service Supervisor, Annette Strayer 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 Lisa Svoboda, Executive Director of Business Director, 939 Tiger Lane, Sealy, TX 77474 or 979-3516.

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.