Irving ISD has announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the attached current income eligibility guidelines. Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.
In August, the district began distributing letters to households of Irving ISD children regarding the program’s benefits and any actions their families should take to apply for the benefits. Applications are also available at each district school, online at https://schoolcafe.com or in person at Irving ISD School Meals Application Center at 800 N. O’Connor Road, Irving, Texas 75061. (Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Early Childhood Schools
There will be no charge for breakfast and lunch for students attending any of the three Irving ISD early childhood schools. These schools, and all students attending these three schools, will be on the Community Eligibility Provision program.
Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Benefits
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefit:
- Income - Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
- Categorical or Automatic Eligibility - Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Program Participant - Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
- Program Participant - Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Food Service Office Manager at 800 N. O’Connor Rd., Irving, TX. 75061. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
- Names of all household members
- Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
- Last 4 digits if 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 “Check if No Social Security number”
- Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct
Categorical or Program Eligibility
Irving Independent School District Food & Nutrition Services is working with local agencies to identity all children who are categorically and program eligible. Irving Independent School District Food & Nutrition Services 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 Food Service office manager at 972-600-6900. Office hours Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact the Food Service office manager at 972-600-6900.
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining 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, Food Service Office Manager 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 wither orally or in writing to: Chief Financial Officer 2621 W. Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062 (972) 600-5405
Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the Food Service Office Manager at (972) 600-6900. Such changes may make the students of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.
