USDA makes changes in Free and Reduced Lunch Program Published March 16, 2006 By Ms. Stacey Crosson USAFE School Liaison Office RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recently announced that more families may be eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program because of a change in eligibility guidelines.The USDA released a memorandum authorizing the exclusion of the Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance as income when determining eligibility for participation in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The memorandum goes into effect immediately and will continue through the end of Fiscal 2006.“This will benefit the military families most in need,” says Dr. John Bohannon, School Liaison Officer for Ramstein Air Base, Germany . “Coupled with the Basic Allowance for Housing exclusion from earlier in the year, this greatly increases the number of families who qualify for the program and saves them more than $300 a year per child.”Families can apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program anytime during the school year by contacting their School Liasion Office. A family that is non-eligible at the start of the school year may reapply as their qualifying factor changes, i.e. decrease in household income, increase in household size or unemployment. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe School Liaison Office recommends anyone receiving FSSA contact their installation School Liaison Office for review based on the new policy.To access the USDA memorandum and other information concerning the Department of Defense Student Meal Program, please visit the Department of Defense Education Activity Headquarters Logistics Division Web site at www.dodea.edu/log/logistics/isp.htm.