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2019-2020 Free and Reduced Price Income Eligibility and Policy Information

Other Source Categorically Eligible Programs include:

Head Start

All children enrolled in Head Start and participating in Child Nutrition Programs are automatically eligible for free meals without further application or eligibility determination if the following criteria are met:

  • The Head Start program must be located in and operated by the school/district
  • The school/district must maintain administrative control over the program

*In the case where the Head Start program does not meet the above criteria, the school/district may vend meals to the Head Start program. The Head Start program may apply to receive reimbursement for those meals through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) administered by the NYS Department of Health.

Migrant Education Program (MEP)

A child is considered categorically eligible if the child is identified as meeting the definition of migrant in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 6399, by the State, regional, or local MEP director, coordinator, or local educational liaison. See the “acceptable methods for identifying children who are Other Source Categorically Eligible” section below for ways in which you may provide free meal benefits to students identified as Migrant. 

Runaway and Homeless Youth

A child is considered homeless if the child is identified as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act by the SFA liaison; or residing in a homeless shelter by an official of the shelter.

  • All public school districts are required to appoint a homeless liaison. Children identified as homeless by the liaison are eligible for free meals. A list or e-mail from the Homeless Liaison that includes students’ names, effective date, and liaison signature must be retained on file to document eligibility for school year 2018-2019. The homeless family does not need to complete an application.
  • Homeless families may reside with another household and still be considered homeless. The host family may include the homeless family as household members on their application, but must also include any income from the homeless family. The homeless child’s eligibility status cannot convey eligibility to the other children in either family. Eligibility of the host family must be determined by household size and income.
  • Due to year-long eligibility, a change in household composition will not impact the eligibility determination for either the host family’s children or the homeless child. A child approved for free meal benefits and deemed homeless remains eligible for free meals for the entire school year.
  • Visit nysteachs.org and click “Liaison List” on the toolbar to find the homeless liaison for your district.
Foster Children

A foster child is a child whose care and placement is the responsibility of a State or local welfare agency or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household. This applies only to foster children who are formally placed by the State welfare agency or court. It does not apply to informal arrangements, such as caretaker arrangements or to permanent guardianship placements, which may exist outside of or as a result of State or court based systems. A child may still be considered a foster child if placed with relatives provided the placement is made by the State or local foster care system or courts. The State must retain legal custody of the child --whether placed by a welfare agency or a court -- in order for a child to be considered categorically eligible for free meals.

  • A separate application is not needed for foster children. They are categorically eligible for free meals based on documentation received from an appropriate State or local agency indicating their status as a foster child.
  • The foster family may include the foster child as a household member. The foster child’s personal income must be included with the family income when processing the application. The foster child would be certified for free meals, and then the remainder of the household members would be certified for benefits based on household size (including the foster children) and income or other categorical eligibility information reported on the application.
  • A foster child remains eligible for free meals for the entire school year, even if he or she returns home to their family.
  • You can contact your county Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for a list of foster children in your district/school.

Acceptable methods for identifying children who are Other Source Categorically Eligible include:

  • Submission of a household application that indicates “Other Source Categorical Eligibility” for one or more children;
  • A form letter from the Other Source Categorically Eligible agency to the household, which in turn, the household provides to the school;
  • Submission to the determining official of a list of Other Source Categorically Eligible children compiled by the SFA

*Note- Other Source Categorical Eligibility of a child does not convey eligibility to other children in the household. If the household of an Other Source Categorically Eligible child submits an application, the applicable programs must be indicated. With the exception of a foster child, the SFA official must contact the Other Source Categorically Eligible agency liaison to confirm that the children are eligible under one of these programs before free benefits are provided.

Last updated
June 5, 2019

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

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.

Los demás programas de asistencia nutricional del FNS, las agencias estatales y locales, y sus beneficiarios secundarios, deben publicar el siguiente Aviso de No Discriminación:

De conformidad con la Ley Federal de Derechos Civiles y los reglamentos y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en ingles), se prohíbe que el USDA, sus agencias, oficinas, empleados e instituciones que participan o administran programas del USDA discriminen sobre la base de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o en represalia o venganza por actividades previas de derechos civiles en algún programa o actividad realizados o financiados por el USDA.

Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten medios alternativos para la comunicación de la información del programa (por ejemplo, sistema Braille, letras grandes, cintas de audio, lenguaje de seas americano, etc.), deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) en la que solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades de audición o discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service [Servicio Federal de Retransmisión] al (800) 877-8339. Además, la información del programa se puede proporcionar en otros idiomas.

Para presentar una denuncia de discriminación, complete el Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación del Programa del USDA, (AD-3027) que está disponible en linea en:http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Spanish_Form_508_Compliant_6_8_12_0.pdf. y en cualquier oficina del USDA, o bien escriba una carta dirigida al USDA e incluya en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de denuncia, llame al (866) 632-9992. Haga llegar su formulario lleno o carta al USDA por:

(1)     correo: 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; o

(3)     correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov.

Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

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