Community Eligibility Provision

Meal applications for the 2021-2022 school year will also provide the district with information that may allow the Socorro ISD Department of Child Nutrition Services (CNS) to qualify and designate additional campuses as Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools where all students eat breakfast and lunch at no cost with no meal application necessary for the 2022-2023 school year. The district currently has 26 CEP-designated campuses where households are not required to fill out the meal application for free and reduced breakfast and lunch. SISD would like to have the opportunity to serve more students in the CEP program in the next school year and in subsequent school years.

Current CEP schools include:

• Benito Martinez
• Bill Sybert
• Campestre
• Capt. Walter E. Clarke
• Desert Wind
• Elfida P. Chavez
• Ernesto Serna
• Escontrias Early Childhood Center
• Escontrias
• H.D. Hilley
• Hueco
• Hurshel Antwine
• Jane A. Hambric
• KEYS Academy
• KEYS Elementary
• Mission Ridge
• Myrtle Cooper
• O’Shea Keleher
• Options High School
• Purple Heart
• Robert R. Rojas
• Salvador H. Sanchez
• Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco
• Sierra Vista
• Socorro Middle
• Vista del Sol

The Socorro ISD Meal Applicaiton offers families an easy, quick and efficient way to complete the necessary form. For more information or questions about the online meal application, call (915) 937-0450. If needed, online applications can be completed by using computers at the Child Nutrition Services Office at 12100 Eastlake Blvd., the District Service Center at 12440 Rojas Drive, and at all schools districtwide.

Applications needed in another language may be requested at (915)937-0450 or in person at the CNS office.

While no application is required for students to receive free meals this school year, income eligibility requirements will likely resume for the 2022-2023 school year. SISD CNS will process household applications this school year so student eligibility for free or reduced-price meals continues during the first 30 days of the next school year while those applications are being processed.

SISD provides free and reduced-price meals for children who qualify under the current income eligibility guidelines at non-CEP schools, with the exception of the 2021-2022 school year where there is no cost. Each SISD school has a copy of the policy and may be reviewed by anyone on request.

Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits to Start School Year 2022-2023

The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:

1. Income: Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels;
2. Programs: Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); or
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster

Income Eligibility

For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must fill out a free and reduced-price meal application online. For more information call: 915-937-0450.

Individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:

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

Program Eligibility

SISD Child Nutrition Services (CNS) is working with local agencies to identify all children who are program eligible. CNS 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 they should have, contact Frances Castillo, CNS Specialist, at 915-937-0450 or fcobos@sisd.net.

Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Frances Castillo, CNS Specialist, at 915-937-0450 or fcobos@sisd.net.

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, CNS will review applications and determine eligibility. Households 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 Shelley Chenausky, Director of Child Nutrition Services, 12100 Eastlake Blvd., El Paso, Texas, 79928, 915-937-0450.

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 income eligibility guidelines.

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.