Hamilton County Schools has announced its 2023-2024 program year policy of free and reduced-price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
The following students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals:
- All children in households receiving benefits from TN SNAP or Families First (TANF), are eligible for free meals.
- Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
- Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
- Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
- Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if a household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. These children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if the household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.
Information about applying for free or reduced meals is distributed to all homes that do not participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households can complete an application online or can request a paper copy from their school.
Translated applications and auxiliary services are available by contacting their school or Chasity Higdon, 2501 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37407, or by calling 423-498-7290 or emailing higdon_chasity@hcde.org. A complete application is required. Only one application is required for all children in the household attending schools in non-charter Hamilton County Schools.
An application is not required for free meal benefits for Assistance Program participants, including Special Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Children in the household of Assistance Program participants are eligible for free meal benefits, and this free benefit is extended to all children in the household.
When known to the district, households will be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals based on SNAP or TANF participation. If a family participating in SNAP or TANF has not been notified of their eligibility or if their eligibility letter is missing children in your household, either complete an application or contact Chasity Higdon, 2501 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37407, or by calling 423-498-7290 or emailing higdon_chasity@hcde.org.
When known to the district, households will also be notified of any child’s eligibility for free or reduced meals if the individual is considered “Other Source Categorically Eligible” where the child is categorized or defined by law as foster, homeless, migrant, runaway, or enrolled in an eligible Head Start program.
Households participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), may be eligible for free or reduced meals through the application process.
If a household currently receiving Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for a child is applying for meal benefits through the application process, the application must include the child’s name, the SNAP or TANF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application.
Households that do not receive SNAP or TANF 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, and the signature of an adult household member. If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application.
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 a 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. Applications are subject to verification, and 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.
Under the provision of the policy, Chasity Higdon, Determining Official, will review applications and determine eligibility. Questions or assistance regarding the application process may be directed to Ms. Higdon at 2501 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37407, or by calling her at 423-498-7290 or email higdon_chasity@hcde.org.
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 by contacting her at 2501 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37407, or by calling her at 423-498-7290 or email higdon_chasity@hcde.org. 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: Kristen Nauss, 2501 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37407, (423) 498-7275
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 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.
Households notified of their children’s eligibility choosing to decline free or reduced benefits must contact Chasity Higdon at 2501 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37407, or by calling her at 423-498-7290 or email higdon_chasity@hcde.org.
For up to 30 operating days into the new school year (or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first) an individual child’s free or reduced-price eligibility status from the previous school year will continue within Hamilton County Schools. When the carryover period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the children will revert back to full pay status.