NASWA Letter (20.11 KB)
September 3, 2009
Dear State Workforce Agency Administrator:
The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide school meals to all children. These nutrition programs can be a lifeline for families facing unemployment due to the current economic situation. We are seeking your cooperation to inform Unemployment Insurance (UI) applicants that their children might be eligible to receive free or reduced price meals under these programs. Please distribute or post the attached letter to inform UI applicants that they may apply for free or reduced price school meals at any time throughout the school year by applying directly to their local school. The enclosed letter refers your clients to their local school for additional information on the school meal programs.
Please stress to your local agencies the importance of distributing this information to UI applicants. Although schools distribute school meal information and the household application at the beginning of the school year, the current economic situation warrants additional efforts to reach out to vulnerable households affected by unemployment and reduced hours and wages due to economic conditions. Thank you for delivering this important message to UI applicants.
Cynthia Long
Director
Child Nutrition Division