Pre-K through eighth grade students in Clear Creek ISD could participate in a free and reduced-price meal program through the district if they are unable to afford the full price of school meals, according to an Aug. 2 news release from the district.

What you need to know

CCISD will determine eligibility for participation in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program through guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to the release.

Reduced-price meals will cost $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch, according to the release.

Qualification standards are based on the number of family members and income. Per the release, applicants must provide the following information to be considered for the program:

• Eligibility Determination Group number for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Proof of Medicaid or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
• Proof of Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Families who do not have the above information must submit one of the following:

• Names of all household members
• Last four digits of the Social Security number of the primary wage earner or household member who signs the form
• If the adult does not have a Social Security number, check the box for “No Social Security Number”
• Last month’s income and how often it was received for each household member who receives an income
• Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information is correct

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the state agency or court are eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household where they reside.

Learn more

Applications will be available online at www.schoolcafe.com. To apply for free and reduced‐price meals, households must fill out the online application. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.

Rebecca Coronado, CCISD’s free and reduced-price meal benefits specialist, will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official at 281-284-0712.

Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally by calling 281-284-0700 or in writing to Child Nutrition Hearing Official, 2145 W. NASA Blvd., Webster.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact CCISD’s child nutrition services department at 281-284-0700, or email at [email protected].

For more information about the program, call 281-284-0712.

What else?

High school students in CCISD are not eligible to participate in the program “due to the strict dietary guidelines in place on what the high schools would be able to offer students,” said Fred Walker, CCISD’s director of child nutrition, in a Aug. 2 email. He said the district still offers meal benefits to high school students who qualify.