Starting on August 22, 2016, the Varnett charter 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 these benefits. Applications also are available at The Southwest (5025 S. Willow Dr.), East (804A Maxey Rd.) and Northeast (8305 Mesa Road) campuses.
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
- Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels.
Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
- Households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
Program Participant
- Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster.
- 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 a free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Victoria Phillips, food service manager at 5025 South Willow Drive. Contact Ms. Phillips at 713-723-4699 ext. 311 or email to [email protected]. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
- Names of all household members.
- Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member.
- 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”
- Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct
Categorical or Program Eligibility
Varnett is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. The Varnett Public School will notify the households of these 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 Victoria Phillips, food service manager at 713-723-4699 ext. 311.
Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Ms. Phillips.
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, Ms. Phillips 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 Dr. Margaret Stroud, interim superintendent, at 5025 South Willow Drive, Houston, TX 77035.
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.