Federally-Funded Meal Programs Available To Help Feed Texans In Need (9/23/2016)

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is encouraging Texans in need to utilize programs such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) that offer nutritious meals to children and adults. Approximately 13,000 adult and child care centers and home-based day cares in Texas are serving free or reduced-priced meals through CACFP, which is federally funded.

CACFP helps Texas families who find themselves in difficult times financially. Assistance programs should be utilized as a temporary bridge to a better economic situation — not as an endless highway. TDA is committed to helping these families with their immediate nutritional needs to assist them in becoming food independent in the future.

Meals that are provided through CACFP are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). CACFP provides nutritious meals to children and adults enrolled in participating child care centers, day care homes and adult day care centers.

Children in households getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits; or who are enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start or Even Start Programs; or who receive Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits automatically qualify for free meals.

Children in households that do not receive any of the above assistance may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income. See the chart below for income eligibility guidelines.  

Foster children placed with a caregiver by the state or courts are eligible for free meals. If you have foster children living with you and wish to apply for free meals for your foster child, contact your child care center or day care home for assistance.

Parents or guardians who become unemployed may apply for free or reduced-price meals on behalf of their children at any time during the period of unemployment.

Children and adults in households participating in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Adults who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits, Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for free meals.

Adults who do not receive any of the above assistance may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income. See the chart below for income eligibility guidelines.  

The information provided on the application will be treated confidentially and be used only for eligibility determinations and verification of information.
 
In accordance with federal civil rights law and 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.

To apply for free or reduced-price meals, you may request an application from your child care center, adult day care center or day care home provider. An application for free or reduced-price meals cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions. Only one application is required per household, and households may apply at any time.

If your application for free or reduced-price meals is denied, you have the right to request a fair hearing from your child care center, adult day care center or day care home.

Verification of the accuracy of your application for free or reduced-price meals can occur at any time.

To locate a center or day care home participating in CACFP, call (877) TEX-MEAL. Participating child care locations will also display the official "Building for the Future" poster.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
Ingresos máximos para determinar
For Determining Free and Reduced-Price Benefits
la elegibilidad para el programa de nutrición

July 1, 2016- June 30, 2017
1 de julio de 2016- 30 de junio de 2017