HERALD, CA (MPG) - As of the beginning of August, the Arcohe Union School District has announced its policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

Breakfasts and lunches will be served free of charge every school day, but Arcohe Union School District is still required to make eligibility determinations for free and reduced-price meals. Effective July 1 through June 30, 2026, children are considered eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.

The following is the free or reduced-price eligibility scale for meals, snacks and milk:

Household size of one with an annual income of $20,345, monthly income of $1,696, $848 twice per month, earnings of $783 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $392.

Household size of two with an annual income of $27,4956, monthly income of $2,292, $1,146 twice per month, earnings of $1,058 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $529.

Household size of three with an annual income of $34,645, monthly income of $2,888, earnings of $1,444 twice per month, $1,333 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $667.

Household size of four with an annual income of $41,795, monthly income of $3,483, $1,742 twice per month, earnings of $1,608 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $804.

Household size of five with an annual income of $48,945, monthly income of $4,079, $2,040 twice per month, earnings of $1,883 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $942.

Household size of six with an annual income of $56,095, monthly income of $4,675, $2,338 twicer per month, earnings of $2,158 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,079.

Household size of seven with an annual income of $63,245, monthly income of $5,271, $2,636 twice per month, earnings of $2,433 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,217.

Household size of eight with an annual income of $70,395, monthly income of $5,867, $2,934 twice per month, earnings of $2,708 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,354.

For each additional family member after eight, add: $7,150 annually, $596 monthly, $298 twice per month, $275 every two weeks or $138 weekly.

The following information is for reduced-price eligibility scale for meals and snacks:

Household size of one with an annual income of $28,953, monthly income of $2,413, $1,207 twice a month, earnings of $1,114 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $557.

Household size of two with an annual income of $39,128, monthly income of $3,261, $1,631 twice a month, earnings of $1,505 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $753.

Household size of three with an annual income of $49,303, monthly income of $4,109, $2,055 twice a month, earnings of $1,897 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $949.

Household size of four with an annual income of $59,478, monthly income of $24,957, $2,479 twice a month, earnings of $2,288 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,144.

Household size of five with an annual income of $69,653, monthly income of $5,805, $2,903 twice a month, earnings of $2,679 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,340.

Household size of six with an annual income of $79,828, monthly income of $6,653, $3,327 twice a month, earnings of $3,071 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,536.

Household size of seven with an annual income of $90,003, monthly income of $7,501, $3,751 twice a month, earnings of $3,462 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,731.

Household size of eight with an annual income of $100,178, monthly income of $8,349, $4,175 twice a month, earnings of $3,853 every two weeks or weekly earnings of $1,927.

For each additional family member after eight, add: $10,175 annually, $848 monthly, $424 twice per month, $392 every two weeks or $196 weekly. 

Eligibility and How to Apply:

Households do not need to turn in an application when the household receives a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free meals when any household member receives benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations).

Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway and children enrolled in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.

Applications will be sent to the household with a letter about the school meal program.

Contact school officials by calling at 209-748-2313 if any child in the household is not on the notification letter. The household must let school officials know if they do not want to be considered eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

While breakfasts and lunches will be provided free of charge every school day, determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals is still necessary and these determinations can be used to qualify households for other benefits.

Households interested in establishing eligibility for meal benefits, must fill out one application for all children in the household and give it to the nutrition office at 11755 Ivie Road in Herald.

For a simple and secure method to apply, use our online application at Linqconnect.com. Contact Lauren Snow at 209-748-2313 for help filling out the application. The school will provide notification regarding the outcome of your applications. 

Households may turn in an application at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now, but your household income goes down, household size goes up, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you may turn in an application at that time.

Information given on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials. The last four digits of the Social Security number from any adult household or checking that you do not have a Social Security number is required if you include income on the application.

Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, may be considered eligible for free or reduced-price meals by filling out an application.

Foster children are considered eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as a household member may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible, this does not keep foster children from being considered eligible for free meals.

Your child’s eligibility status from last school year will continue into the new school year for up to 30 school days or until the school processes your new application, or your child is otherwise certified for free or reduced-price meals. School officials do not have to send reminder or expired eligibility notices.

If you do not agree with the decision or results of verification, you may discuss it with school officials. You also have the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by calling or writing the hearing official: Mindy McCreery, 11755 Ivie Road, Herald, CA  95638, 209-748-2313 x1206.

The Arcohe Union School District institution is an equal opportunity provider.