Dayton ISD Seamless Summer Option Free Meals in School Year 2021-2022

Dayton Independent School District announced its policy today that this school year, healthy meals will be offered every school day to all students at no cost. Typically, a student's household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to offer meals to ali students at no cost for the 2021-2022 school year.
While no application or eligibility determination is required for your student to receive free meals this school year, income eligibility requirements will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year. As such, Dayton lndependent School District will process household applications during School Year 2021-2022 to ensure student eligibility for free or reduced-price meals during the first 30 days ofthe ?022-2023 school year while 2022-2023 applications are being processed. Each school/site or central office has a copy ofthe policy, which may be reviewed upon request.
Starting on August 11, 2021 Dayton lndependent School District will begin distributing letters to the households ofthe children in the district {or service area} about these 2022-2023 eligibility benefits and actions households need to take to apply. Applications also are available at 702 South Cleveland St, Dayton, TX 77535 or your child's school.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits to Start School Year 2022-2023
The following criteria will be used to determine a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits at the beginning of School Year 2022-2023:
Income
1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on lndian Reservations (FDPIR)
Program Participant
3. Child's status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Child's enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

lncome Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete the free and reduced-price meal application and return it to {insert name, title, and contact information}. Those individuais filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
1. Names of ali household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
3. Last 4 digits ofthe Social Security number ofthe adult household member who signs the application or, ifthe 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
Dayton Independent School District is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Dayton Indepenent School District will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a Ietter and feels it should have should contact Ceei/ia Guia, Administrative Assistant, at Cecilia.guia@daytonisd.net (936) 257-4112 Ext 1901.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Ceei/ia Guia, Administrative Assistant at Cecilia.guia@daytonisd.net (936)257-4113 Ext. 1901.
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to detennine eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.
Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions ofthe free and reduced-price meal policy, Administrative Assistant Ceei/ia Guia will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official's eligibility detennination 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 Travis Young at 100 Cherry Creek, Road, Dayton, Texas 77535 (936) 258-2667 Ext.1304 or via email at travis.young@daytonisd.net
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 ofthe household eligible for benefits ifthe household's income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.

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. Individuais who are deaf, hard ofhearing 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 Diserimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https:llwww.usda.gov/oascrlhow-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter ali ofthe information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, cal! (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed fonn or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office ofthe Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250- 941O; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.