Bedford City School District announced its 2023-2024 program year policy for free and reduced price
meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School
Breakfast Program. Each school office and the central office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by
any interested party.
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 or free milk if the
school participates in the Special Milk Program.
Application forms are available online or in paper form to all parents or guardians that are interested. To apply for
free and reduced-price benefits, households should complete an application online or complete a paper copy and
return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete
application is required. Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP,
formally 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.
FREE HEALTH CARE: 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. Please call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be
found on the web at http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is
already receiving these services.
The information provided on the application is confidential and will only be used for the purpose to determine
eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program official. To discourage
the possibility of misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space for signature
certifying that all information furnished is true and correct. Applications are being made in connection with the
receipt of federal funds. Schools or other officials may check the information on the application at any time during
the school year. Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under
applicable state and federal laws.
Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits.
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.
2023-2024 Public Release Last Revised June 2022 NDS
Under the provision of the policy, Jennifer Dickson, Supervisor of Nutrition Services 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:
Dr. JaTina Threat Executive Director of School and Community Relations
475 Northfield Rd
Bedford, Ohio 44146
The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
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.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law 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 obtain 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 a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online
at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-
28-17Fax2Mail.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 rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
