Starting on August 16, 2023, Trenton ISD began distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available at Trenton Elementary, Middle School, and High School campuses or on school website, Trentonisd.org.
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. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical (Automatic) Eligibility
2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian 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
Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete one application, for all students in the household, for free and reduced-price meals and return it to Tamra Zimmer, Child Nutrition Director, 903-989-2245 ext4509, tzimmer@trentonisd.org Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member.
3. 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
Trenton ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Trenton ISD 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 Tamra Zimmer, Child Nutrition Director at 903-989-2245 ext4509 or tzimmer@trentonisd.org . Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Tamra Zimmer, Child Nutrition Director at 903-989-2245 ext4509 or tzimmer@trentonisd.org .
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information provided by households 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, Tamra Zimmer Child Nutrition Director 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 or in writing to Jeremy Strickland, Superintendent at 903-989-2245 ext. 1501 or jstrickland@trentonisd.org.
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 of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls.
In accordance with federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to oblation program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at : www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documtents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866)632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil right violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) Fax (833)256-1665 or (202)690-7442; or (3) email: Program.Intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
