DOWNEY - The Downey Unified School District this week released details on its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program. The school district considers household size and income criteria to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price lunches.

The policy and income guidelines are available at every Downey school.

Children who receive food stamps, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP or FDPIR benefits are automatically eligible for free meals regardless of their household income. Eligibility for a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the amount of the child's "personal use" income.

Under policy guidelines, a family of five would have to earn less than $35,841 per year to qualify for free meals, or $51,005 for reduced-price lunches. Applications for subsidized meals are being distributed to all households. Applications are also available at school offices.

Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.

********** Published: Aug. 22, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 19