Carlsbad Municipal School District

Your family may qualify for free or reduced meals if your income is at or below these amounts:

Some families are automatically approved (this is called Direct Certification) if they receive:

• SNAP (formerly Food Stamps)

• FITAP (Temporary Assistance)

If your family gets SNAP or FITAP and you haven’t been notified about free meals, you should still apply.

• Names of everyone in the household

• Income for each household member

• Where the income comes from (job, benefits, etc.)

• How often income is received (weekly, monthly, etc.)

• Social Security number of the main wage earner (or note if no one has one)

• Signature from an adult in the household

• Foster children may qualify for free meals. Contact your school if you’d like to apply.

• If a parent or guardian disagrees with the eligibility decision, they can appeal by contacting Lisa Rhoades.

Breakfast for all Adults is $2.10, and Lunch for all Adults is $3.35

Filling out the application ensures your child will receive maximum funding for benefits like Summer EBT (formerly P-EBT) An accurate count of those who qualify ensures other initiatives continue, including after-school programs. Also funding for lunch programs is tied to technology money, including access to quality internet.

For the school officials to determine eligibility, each household that is now receiving SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp program) or that is on the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) must provide its SNAP case number or FITAP number as well as the signature of an adult household member. All other households must provide the following information on the application: names of all household members; the social security number of either the parent/guardian who is the primary wage earner, or the adult household member who signs the application, or a statement that the household member does not possess one; the amount of income (before deductions for taxes, Social Security, etc.) each household member receives; how often the person receives the income; where it is from, such as wages, retirement, or welfare; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. 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 meal benefits.

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may be eligible for benefits. If a household has foster children and wishes to apply for such meals for them, the household should contact the school for more information.

Households that receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp program) or FITAP benefits may be directly certified to receive free meals. These households are not required to complete an application, and will be notified by school officials of their eligibility. SNAP and FITAP households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 18, 2023.

School officials determine whether households are directly certified to receive free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the SNAP/FITAP office, which will certify that a child is a member of a household currently receiving SNAP benefits or an assistance unit receiving FITAP benefits. Households who are notified of their eligibility but do not want their children to receive free meals must contact the school.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price policy, Lisa Rhoades and Kimberly Porras will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he may make either an oral or written response to the following:

Lisa Rhoades

Food Service Manager

lisa.rhoades@carlsbadschools.net

(575) 234-3300

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

As a nondiscriminatory institution, this institution promotes a sense of belonging and equality for all students, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by this institution.

• Notice: Non-Discrimination

Any person may file a complaint with any Cafeteria Worker, Kitchen Manager, Cafeteria Administrative Staff or Food Service Manager.

Nutrition and Food Services Department

• 201 Alta Vista Street
• Carlsbad, NM 88220
• P: (575) 234-3300
• F: (575) 234-3367

If a complaint cannot be resolved within the Nutrition and Food Services Department, the complaint will be brought to the attention of the Superintendent of the Carlsbad Municipal School District.

If you wish to file a Civil Rights complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Complaint Form online or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication

• 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
• Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
• F: (202) 690-7442
• E: program.intake@usda.gov

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

Lisa Rhoades
Food Service Manager
📧 lisa.rhoades@carlsbadschools.net
📞 (575) 234-3300

Kimberly Porras
Office Specialist
📧 kimberly.porras@carlsbadschools.net

Nutrition & Food Services Department
📍 201 Alta Vista Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220
📞 Phone: (575) 234-3300
📠 Fax: (575) 234-3367
🕗 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM