SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM - Denial/Approval Notification Letter to Households

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky

School Nutrition Program denial/approval notice to households for free and reduced-price meal services or free milk. It explains that applications are determined by eligibility category, listing approved meal benefits or the denial reasons such as income exceeding allowable amounts or incomplete/inappropriate documentation. It states the effective date, reapplication rights during the school year, and possible verification checks and required supporting papers. It also outlines confidentiality limits, the right to a fair hearing, and federal civil-rights nondiscrimination and complaint procedures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Denial/Approval of Meal Benefits

Approved Meal Categories and Denial Reasons

Effective Date, Reapplication, and Verification

Confidentiality and Fair Hearing Right

Civil Rights Notice and How to File a Complaint

SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM Denial/Approval Notification Letter to Households Dear Parent or Guardian: Your application for free and reduced-price meal services or free milk has been determined as follows: | Approved for Meal Benefits
Category (select one) Free Reduced-Price*
Meal Services (mark all that apply)
Breakfast .............. *maximum reduced-price is 30 cents Lunch ................... *maximum reduced-price is 40 cents After-School Snack *maximum reduced price is 15 cents Milk Only | Denied for the following reason(s):
Income is over the allowable amount Application is incomplete
Inappropriate SNAP/TANF case
identification number Other: | | --- | --- | Effective Date of Determination: You may reapply for benefits at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now, but have a decrease in household income, become unemployed, or have an increase in household size, fill out an application at that time. Verification: Your eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send papers showing your child should receive free or reduced-price meals. Confidentiality: School officials use the information on the application only to decide if your child should receive free or reduced-price meals, or benefits under other federal and state education programs as permitted by law. If you wish to review the decision further, you have a right to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling or writing the following official: Name/Title Phone Email Mailing Address 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, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs) . Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 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 State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY) . Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632- 9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [program.intake@usda.gov](program.intake@usda.gov). This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

FAQs

What does this letter communicate to a parent or guardian?

It notifies the household whether the child is approved for free and reduced-price meal services or free milk, or denied for specific reasons.

Can a household reapply for benefits during the school year?

Yes. The letter states that households may reapply at any time during the school year, especially if income decreases, unemployment occurs, or household size increases.

What verification and documentation may the school require?

The school may check eligibility during the school year and may ask for papers showing the child should receive free or reduced-price meals.

How can a family request a fair hearing or file a civil-rights complaint?

A fair hearing can be requested by calling or writing the listed official. For discrimination complaints, families must complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) or write to USDA with the required information, using mail, fax, or email provided in the notice.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky