The Berlin Public Schools announced its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free or reduced-price meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, or free milk served under the Special Milk Program.
Local school officials have adopted the United States Department of Agriculture’s Income Eligibility Guidelines for family size and income criteria for determining eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Students residing in households with income at or below those levels are eligible for free or reduced-price meals or free milk. Applications are available at berlinschools.org, school offices and the Board of Education Office. To apply for free or reduced-price meals or free milk, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Only one application is required per household.
For up to 30 operating days into the new school year, a student’s eligibility (free, reduced, or paid) as of June 2022 will be the eligibility that will be carried over for the first 30 operating days into SY 2022-23, starting with the first day of school.
No application is required if the district directly certifies a student based on a household member receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Temporary Family Assistance program. All students in these households are eligible for free meal benefits. Households receiving assistance under the SNAP/TFA programs will be notified of their eligibility and students residing in the household will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the determining official that it chooses to decline benefits.
If any students were not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact the district or school to have free or reduced-price meal benefits extended to those students.
Under the provisions of the policy for determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, Wendy Weed, 860-828-6581, ext. 5008, wweed@berlinschools.org, will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If they wish to make a formal appeal, a request either orally or in writing, may be made to Brian Benigni, Superintendent of Schools, Berlin Public Schools, 860-828-6581.