Free & Reduced Lunch Information

Pasadena Independent School District Transitions Back to Application Requirement for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals

Back to School and Back to Normal in the Cafeteria

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized spending that allowed schools to serve free meals for all students. Those funds are not authorized to continue for the 2022-2023 school year. As a result, Pasadena Independent School District must return to charging for school meals and offering free and reduced-price meals based on student eligibility. Starting on August 1, 2022, Nutrition Services will have the online application system and paper applications available. Families are encouraged to complete the application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals.

To apply online, visit http://www.schoolcafe.com/. The process is safe, secure, and fast. If needed, instructions are available in Spanish by selecting that option on the upper right side of the first screen. Once an online application is completed, it communicates to Nutrition Services office the same day. Applications in English and Spanish are also available in Nutrition Services at 1515 Cherrybrook Lane, Pasadena, TX 77502.
Return the completed form online or to any school office.

The application will determine a child’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and may assist in the determination of eligibility for other state or federal benefits. Only one application needs to be completed per household. Nutrition Services will notify the household of the child’s eligibility. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers school nutrition programs in Texas and offers an eligibility calculator at www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility.

Decisions regarding payment for school meals are made at the national-government level, not by the school nutrition team or TDA. The dedicated staff at Pasadena Independent School District is looking forward to serving healthy, balanced meals to students in the new school year. These meals, whether paid, free, or reduced-price, offer a good source of nutrition for children.

 

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Breakfast is free to all students.

Income Eligibility
1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels

Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Program Participant Eligibility
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start

Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out free and reduced-price meal application and return it to Mary Harryman, Director of Nutrition Services at 1515 Cherrybrook, Pasadena, TX 77502. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

  1. Names of all household members
  2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
  3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for
    “No Social Security number”
  4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct

Directly Certified
Nutrition Services is working with local agencies to identify all children who are directly eligible. Nutrition Services will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should, can contact Blanca Banda, Secretary of Nutrition Services at 713-740-0146.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Blanca Banda, Secretary of Nutrition Services at 713-740-0146.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Blanca Banda, Secretary of Nutrition Services will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Ben Pape, Chief Financial Officer at 713-740-0146.

Unexpected Circumstances
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 benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.

Forms