NILES — The Niles City School District has announced its 2021-22 free and reduced-price meals policy for students unable to pay the full price of meals under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, Dinner Program, and After School Care Snack.

The Ohio Department of Education received approval to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students attending schools on the national school lunch program through the entire 2021-22 school year. This opportunity continues the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Education’s dedication to meeting the needs of the whole child during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

The district is asking for all families with a new or change in household income to fill out a free/reduced application as this determines additional funds for Niles City and P-EBT. Those approved free/reduced in 2019-20 and 2020-21 are rolled over to the current 2021-22 school year. Application forms are available on the school district’s website.

To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should complete an application and return it to the school or visit www.payschoolscentral.com. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required. Households that currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application. Households that do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult signing the application or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security number, the amount and source of income received by each household member (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member. If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application,

Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at http://ifs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.

Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information.

Under the provision of the policy, Holly Hanni, Food Service Director, will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from AnnMarie Thigpen, 309 N.Rhodes Ave. Niles, Ohio 44446.

Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible and if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application.

Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.