Provision 2 Media Release

Sent to www.afjusd.org

Ash Fork Joint Unified School District #31 will be participating in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. As part of this program, Ash Fork Elementary, Middle, and High Schools are implementing Special Assistance Programs will offer healthy meals every school day at NO COST to the students due to the implementation of Provision 2 for school year 2018/2019 School Year. Students will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee, but must still fill out an application for free or reduced meals. We are participating in a base year, and must have all families submit an application.  

Qualifications for children to receive free or reduced price meals include: belonging to a household whose income is at or below the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines, belonging to a household that receives public assistance, or if the child is homeless, migrant, runaway, foster, or participates in a Head Start or Even Start pre-Kindergarten program.

Household size and income criteria are used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits if the household does not receive assistance or the children are not in the other categories mentioned above. Children can get free or reduced-price meals if the household’s gross income falls at or below the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guideline chart.

Federal Eligibility Income Chart for School Year 2018-2019

FREE

REDUCED-PRICE

Household Size

Yearly Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

Yearly Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

1

$15,782

1,316

304

$22,459

$1,872

$432

2

21,398

1,784

412

$30,451

$2,538

$586

3

27,014

2,252

520

$38,443

$3,204

$740

4

32,630

2,720

628

$46,435

$3,870

$893

5

38,246

3,188

736

$54,427

$4,536

$1,047

6

43,862

3,656

844

$62,419

$5,202

$1,201

7

49,478

4,124

952

$70,411

$5,868

$1,355

8

55,094

4,592

1,060

$78,403

$6,534

$1,508

Each additional person:

+5,616

+468

+108

+$7,992

+$666

+$154

To apply for free or reduced-price meals, house­holds can fill out the application and return it to the school unless the household has already received notification that their children are approved for free meals this year. Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children and what is required to complete on the application. Applications also are avail­able at 46999 N 5th St, Ash Fork, AZ 86320 in the front office, and at our website: www.afjusd.org  

Only one application is required for all children in the household and the information provided on the appli­ca­tion will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data.  Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by the school or other program officials. An application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions. In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

Families can apply for benefits at any time. 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 Federal Guidelines. Contact Michelle Coffey at any time to request an application.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, Michelle Coffey, Food Service Director will review applications and determine eligibility.  Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Michelle Coffey, 46999 N. 5th St, Ash Fork, AZ, 86320, (928) 637-2561

When known to Ash Fork Joint Unified School District #31, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free meals if they are members of households receiving assistance from the:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); or
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), if the State program meets Federal standards.

An application is not required for free meal benefits for Assistance Program participants and all of the children in the household are eligible for free meal benefits. If any children were not listed on the notice of eligibility, or if a household does not receive a notice of eligibility, the household should contact the school to have free meal benefits extended to them. Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but they will need to turn in an application including household size and total income.

When known to Ash Fork Joint Unified School District #31 households will also be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals if the individual child is considered “Other Source Categorically Eligible”, because the child is categorized, as defined by law as:

  • Foster
  • Homeless,
  • Migrant,
  • Runaway,
  • Enrolled in an eligible Head Start, or
  • Enrolled in an eligible pre-kindergarten class.

If any children were not listed on the notice of eligibility, the household should contact the school about their eligibility through the list above, or should submit an income application.

Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact the school if the household chooses to decline the free meal benefits.

For more information, you may call Michelle Coffey at (928)637-2561 or e-mail at mcoffey@afjusd.org.

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 completed 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. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.