Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Free & Reduced-Price Meals

Questions
1)  How do I get in touch with the Child Nutrition office?
2) What percentage of Judson students qualify for free or reduced price meals?
3)  How do I get free or reduced price meals for my children?
4)  Do I have to fill out an application if I receive food stamps or TANF?
5)  Do I have to fill out an application if I have a foster child?
6)  Will my application information be verified?
7)  Can I appeal the school's decision?
8)  Do I have to report changes during the year?
9)  Will information on my application be kept confidential?
10)  Can I apply for free and reduced price meals later in the school year?
11)  How will I know if I am approved or denied?
12)  Do I need to fill out a different application for each child?
13)  Am I responsible for any charges before I am approved for free or reduced price meals?
14)  Will my child's free or reduced price meals status carry over from last year?
15)  Do I have to fill out a new application if I moved to Judson from another school district in Texas?
 
Answers
  1)  Q How do I get in touch with the Child Nutrition office?
  A
We are located at 210 School Street in Converse.
Our phone number is 210-945-6720 and our fax number is 210-658-2104.
Our office hours are 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday.
  2)  Q What percentage of Judson students qualify for free or reduced price meals?
  A
62% of Judson students who applied for the program qualified for free or reduced price meals in 2010.
  3)  Q How do I get free or reduced price meals for my children?
  A
You must complete an application for Free and Reduced Price Meals and return it to the school or to the Child Nutrition office at 210 School Street in Converse. You can also complete an application online. There is a link to the website on the Child Nutrition home page.
Applications are mailed to each household in August. Please contact the school if you did not receive an application.
  4)  Q Do I have to fill out an application if I receive food stamps or TANF?
  A
No. You must bring a copy of your approval letter for Food Stamps or TANF to our office at 210 School Street in Converse. We will accept the letter in lieu of an application.
  5)  Q Do I have to fill out an application if I have a foster child?
  A
Yes. You can include their information on the application for the entire household. There is a box next to the child's name where you must indicate that it is for a foster child.
  6)  Q Will my application information be verified?
  A
Your eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send written evidence that shows your children should get free or reduced price meals.
  7)  Q Can I appeal the school's decision?
  A
You can talk to district officials if you do not agree with the district's decision on your application. Please call 210-945-6720.
  8)  Q Do I have to report changes during the year?
  A
No.
  9)  Q Will information on my application be kept confidential?
  A
Yes.
  10)  Q Can I apply for free and reduced price meals later in the school year?
  A
You may apply for free and reduced price meals at any time during the school year.
You may also re-apply if your household increases in size, your income decreases, or you are approved for food stamps or TANF.
  11)  Q How will I know if I am approved or denied?
  A
You will receive a letter in the mail stating your approval status.
  12)  Q Do I need to fill out a different application for each child?
  A
Please fill out one application per household unless you have a homeless child or institutionalized child.
  13)  Q Am I responsible for any charges before I am approved for free or reduced price meals?
  A
Yes.
  14)  Q Will my child's free or reduced price meals status carry over from last year?
  A
The previous year's status will carry over for the first 30 days of school. You must fill out a new application and get approved before the 30 day deadline in order to avoid meal charges. Benefits from the 2010-11 school year will expire on October 3, 2011.
  15)  Q Do I have to fill out a new application if I moved to Judson from another school district in Texas?
  A
No. You must bring a copy of your approval letter for the current school year from the prior district to our office at 210 School Street in Converse.
Your approval letter will be accepted only if it is for the current year. We will contact the prior district to obtain a copy of your original application. We will evaluate the application for mathematical errors to ensure that your assigned status is correct.
The application will remain valid for the current school year only.

You must fill out a new application if you are transferring from a district outside of Texas. Applications can be obtained from all school offices and our office at 210 School Street in Converse. You can also fill out the online application at www.SchoolLunchApp.com.