TO:	Commissioners; TA & FS Directors

FROM:	Russell Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Temporary Assistance

SUBJECT:	 School Meals Letters

EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Food Stamp Policy Team at 1-800-343-8859, ext. 3-1469	

As reported in GIS 04 TA/WMS033 on September 10, 2004, there was a delay in sending this year’s School Meals Letters to TA and FS cases with school age children.  The School Meals letters are being mailed this week to both New York City and Upstate cases.  Due to this delay, federal approval was obtained to extend the School Meals eligibility for children who were certified last year through October 15, 2004.  The New York State Department of Education notified school districts Statewide of this extension.  This extension should provide time for households to receive their School Meals letters and take the letters to their schools.

Any questions may be directed to the Food Stamp Policy Team at the number listed above.