Admin

Food Services

Food Services Department

609-476-6134


Food Service Reminder

If you have not already applied for Free or Reduced meals, please do so immediately as you may qualify this school year under the new guidelines. The Working-Class Families Anti-Hunger Act has expanded to allow for more children to qualify for free or reduced meals in New Jersey schools. Even if you have not qualified in the past, you may qualify under the new guidelines.

Qualifying for Free or Reduced Lunch provides your family:

FREE Lunch to all students who qualify for free or reduced meals
Other federal, state and/or district benefits

NOTE: Breakfast is FREE to all students for this 2023-2024 school year, regardless of meal status.

For Lunch to be free/reduced, please complete a meal application using one of the following
methods:

Online via “School Café” www.schoolcafe.com/HAMILTONTWPBOE; or
Scan the QR code below
; or
Download a paper application from our school website hamiltonschools.org then click “Food Services”; “Download Forms”; or
Paper copies are available in the Main Offices and Cafeterias (or) call 609-476-6134 and we can mail it to you
Paper applications can be returned via: email: [email protected] ; or mailed: Hamilton Township BOE; 1876 Dr. Dennis Foreman Drive, Mays Landing, NJ 08330; Attn: Food Services

REMINDER:

Applications must be filled out every school year if you wish to receive free/reduced meals
Free & Reduced meal status is CONFIDENTIAL

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.




Free/Reduced Lunch Program Information      

1. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD?

No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to one of your children's schools.

2. WHO CAN GET FREE MEALS?

All children in households receiving benefits from NJ SNAP or TANF can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household's gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

3. CAN FOSTER CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?

Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.

4. CAN HOMELESS, RUNAWAY, AND MIGRANT CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?

Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven't been told your children will get free meals, please call the school's homeless liaison or migrant coordinator to see if they qualify.

5. WHO CAN GET REDUCED PRICE MEALS?

Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Eligibility Income Chart, shown on the application.

6. SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS?

Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the school if you have questions. (609)-476-6134, Food Services - Direct Office Line.

7. MY CHILD'S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT ANOTHER ONE?

Yes. Your child's application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.

8. I GET WIC. CAN MY CHILD(REN) GET FREE MEALS?

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.

9. WILL THE INFORMATION I GIVE BE CHECKED?

Yes and we may also ask you to send written proof.

10. IF I DON'T QUALIFY NOW, MAY I APPLY LATER?

Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

11. WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE SCHOOL'S DECISION ABOUT MY APPLICATION?

You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to:

Dr. Jeffery Zito
1876 Dr. Dennis Foreman Drive
Mays Landing, NJ 08330


Phone Number: (609) 476-6300

12. MAY I APPLY IF SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?

Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced price meals.

13. WHO SHOULD I INCLUDE AS MEMBERS OF MY HOUSEHOLD?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do not include them.

14. WHAT IF MY INCOME IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME?

List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

15. WE ARE IN THE MILITARY. DO WE INCLUDE OUR HOUSING ALLOWANCE AS INCOME?

If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.

16. MY SPOUSE IS DEPLOYED TO A COMBAT ZONE. IS HER COMBAT PAY COUNTED AS INCOME?

No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic pay because of her deployment and it wasn't received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact your school for more information.



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