SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
The Pillars Preparatory Academy announced today that low cost, nutritious school lunches and/or breakfasts
and/or milk are available to all students enrolled in the school. Meals, snacks and/or milk will be provided free
or at a reduced price to children living in households whose gross incomes are at or below those shown for
their household size on the income scale below. The School Meals and Summer EBT Application is available
to households of all children enrolled in the school.
EƯective from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
(As announced by the United States Department of Agriculture)
FREE MEALS OR MILK REDUCED PRICE MEALS
Household
Size Annual Monthly
Twice
Per
Month
Every
Two
Weeks
Weekly Household
Size Annual Monthly
Twice
Per
Month
Every
Two
Weeks
Weekly
- 1 - 20,345 1,696 848 793 392 - 1 - 28,953 2,413 1,207 1,114 557
- 2 - 27,495 2,292 1,146 1,058 529 - 2 - 39,128 3,261 1,631 1,505 753
- 3 - 34,645 2,888 1,444 1,333 667 - 3 - 49,303 4,109 2,055 1,897 949
- 4 - 41,795 3,483 1,742 1,608 804 - 4 - 59,478 4,957 2,479 2,288 1,144
- 5 - 48,945 4,079 2,040 1,883 942 - 5 - 69,653 5,805 2,903 2,679 1,340
- 6 - 56,095 4,675 2,338 2,158 1,079 - 6 - 79,828 6,653 3,327 3,071 1,536
- 7 - 63,245 5,271 2,636 2,433 1,217 - 7 - 90,003 7,501 3,751 3,462 1,731
- 8 - 70,395 5,867 2,934 2,708 1,354 - 8 - 100,178 8,349 4,175 3,853 1,927
Each add'l
household
member add
7,150 596 298 275 138
Each add'l
household
member add
10,175 848 424 392 196
Application forms are available on the school's website and at your child's school. Applications can be
submitted at any time during the school year. If a household member becomes unemployed or the household
size or income changes during the school year, parents are encouraged to contact the school so that all
children receive the proper benefits. For the school oƯicials to determine eligibility, the household must
provide the following information listed on the application: names of all household members; household
income received by each household member; type of income; frequency of income such as weekly, every two
weeks, twice a month or monthly; and the signature and last four digits of the social security number of an adult
household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information provided by parents on
the application will be kept confidential and will be used only for determining eligibility.
Foster children, Head Start enrollees, homeless, migrant and runaway children, as defined in 7 CFR 245.2, are
categorically eligible for free meals or free milk. Households receiving assistance under NJ SNAP, Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid for their children will be notified of their eligibility for free
benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving
assistance under NJ SNAP or TANF should only submit an application if they are not notified of their eligibility
by a specified date determined by the school. Households with children that are certified participants in SNAP
or TANF may submit school meal applications for their children using the abbreviated information as indicated
on the school meal application and instructions. WIC participants may also be eligible for free and reduced
price meals. Parents/guardians should contact their child's school for more information.
The school will advise parents of their child's eligibility within 10 working days of receipt of the application. Any
parent dissatisfied with the eligibility determination may contact the school to request an informal conference
or may appeal the decision by requesting a formal hearing.
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 who was determined as free or reduced price eligible during the previous year
will continue with this determination. When children move to a new LEA, either at the beginning of the new
school year or during the summer months, the new LEA is encouraged to use the former LEA's eligibility
determination from the previous school year and carryover the child's eligibility status. Once determinations
are completed, school oƯicials are required to verify three percent of the approved School Meals and Summer
EBT Applications on file. For additional information, contact your child's school.
Form #276
June 2025
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations
and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex
(including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights
activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program
or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service
at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA oƯice, by calling (866) 632-
9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address,
telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in suƯicient detail to inform
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The
completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
OƯice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Publication Dates
LNYS0380429
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