Free & Reduced Lunch Policy

Somerset Academy of Texas Schools continues to offer free and reduced-price meals for children who meet Income Eligibility Guidelines set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture.  Each campus and the Child Nutrition Services department has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.

Somerset Academy of Texas offers information about eligibility benefits and any actions households should take to apply for benefits. Applications are available at:

• • Schools
  • Online at Linq Connect
  • Somerset Academy of Texas Child Nutrition – Child Nutrition Services Office, 4802 Vance Jackson San Antonio, Texas 78230 

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

1. 1. 1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels

• • Categorical or Automatic Eligibility

1. 1. 1. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).  If you believe that your household might benefit from state-funded programs, please access the Texas Health and Human Services website for details of program qualifications.

• • Program Participant

1. 1. 1. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
      2. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility

All Somerset Academy of Texas households are encouraged to complete an online meal application, annually, to determine if your student(s) qualify to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits. The quickest way to submit your application and have it approved is to complete the process online at Linq Connect.  Somerset Academy of Texas also accepts paper applications. Paper applications should be completed online, printed, signed by the person completing the application, and then scanned and emailed to mike.jones@somersetacademytx.org

 Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

1. 1. Names of all household members
   2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
   3. The 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”
   4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Categorical or Program Eligibility

Somerset Academy of Texas works with local and state agencies to identify all children who are categorically eligible to receive meal benefits. Somerset Academy of Texas 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 the Somerset Academy of Texas Child Nutrition Services office at (210) 541-0051 ext 2305 or email the Director of Child Nutrition Services at mike.jones@somersetacademytx.org.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact the Somerset Academy of Texas Child Nutrition Services office at (210) 541-0051 ext 2305 or email the Director of Child Nutrition Services at mike.jones@somersetacademytx.org.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine 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, Somerset Academy of Texas Child Nutrition Services 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 at (210) 541-0051 or in writing to Somerset Academy of Texas Child Nutrition Department, Attn: Deputy Superintendent, 4802 Vance Jackson San Antonio, TX 78230.

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