Nutrition Services

Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act Communication

The California Revenue and Taxation Code (RTC) Section 19853(b) requires local educational agencies (LEA) that operate the National School Lunch Program to annually notify households about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Information Act.
 
The EITC is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. In order to qualify for the EITC, households must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if taxes are not owed or households are not required to file. The EITC reduces the amount of tax households owe and may allow for a refund.
 
Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act Communication
 
Below is the specific language that LEAs must include when notifying households about the EITC. This language is in RTC Section 19854:
 
Based on your annual earnings, you may be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Government (Federal EITC). The Federal EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The Federal EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, Federal EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance For Needy Families payments. Even if you do not owe federal taxes, you must file a federal tax return to receive the Federal EITC. Be sure to fill out the Federal EITC form in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet. For information regarding your eligibility to receive the Federal EITC, including information on how to obtain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 797 or any other necessary forms and instructions, contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov.
 
You may also be eligible to receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (California EITC) starting with the calendar year 2015 tax year. The California EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The California EITC is treated in the same manner as the Federal EITC and generally will not be used to determine eligibility for welfare benefits under California law. To claim the California EITC, even if you do not owe California taxes, you must file a California income tax return and complete and attach the California EITC Form (FTB 3514). For information on the availability of the credit eligibility requirements and how to obtain the necessary California forms and get help filing, contact the Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
 
For additional information, refer to the IRS EITC web page at https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit or the California EITC web page at https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/personal/credits/california-earned-income-tax-credit.html.
  
Contact Information
 
If you have questions regarding this subject, please contact the IRS by phone at 800-829-3676 or through its website at www.irs.gov. You can also contact the Franchise Tax Board by phone at 800-852-5711 or through its website at www.ftb.ca.gov.
 
Thank you.
  
Nutrition Services Division
California Department of Education
 
Web | www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/  
Twitter | @CDENutrition
Course Catalog | www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/ed/cnpcoursecatalog.asp

Emergency Food Assistance to Families - Please Call Agency for Program Requirements/Information

• APOSTOLIC TABERNACLE:  2745 E. Highway 140, Merced, 209-723-0545; Mondays and Fridays 12:00-1:00
• CALVARY ASSEMBLY OF GOD:  1021 R Street, Merced, 209-723-2395; Every Thursday 8:00-10:00
• CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF MERCED:  336 W. Main Street, Merced, 209-383-2494; Monday through Friday 8:30-3:45
• LOVE, INC.: Offered through various churches and organizations in our area, 209-383-1265; Call for information
• MERCED COUNTY FOOD BANK:  2000 W. Olive Avenue, Merced, 209-726-3663; Call for information
• PEOPLE'S FRIDGE:  936 W. 18th Street, Merced, 209-205-8102; Call for information (flyer)
• SALVATION ARMY:  1440 W. 12th Street, Merced, 209-383-4225; Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 9:00-12:00
• UNITED METHODIST:  899 Yosemite Parkway, Merced, 209-722-5777, Thursdays at 12:00

• FREE breakfast and lunch at every school for all Pk-8 children.
• Average number of children served daily — Lunch: 8,500 / Breakfast: 4,900
• All meals must meet federal nutrition guidelines.
• Breakfast offerings always include fresh fruit (salad bar).
• Lunch options always include fresh fruit and fresh vegetables (salad bar).
• The companies that provide all of our produce use dozens of Central Valley farms.
• Whole grains, reduced/zero trans fats, low-fat dairy, baked items (nothing fried), healthy cooking, and prep techniques.
• Calories are limited based on the age of the children being served.
• All fluid milk must be 1% milk fat or less.
• Students have choices but must take at least 1 serving of fruit or vegetable.
• Items may appear to be the same as store-bought products, but they have been specifically made for schools with whole grains, reduced sodium, fewer calories, etc.
• Chicken drumsticks may appear fried to appeal to students, but they are baked.
• Pizza has a whole grain crust, low-fat cheese, and reduced sodium sauce.
• Our School Nutrition Services team uses a program that calculates the nutritional values of all meal offerings to ensure they meet strict standards.
• All menus and nutritional information are available on our district website.
• USDA research indicates that children who participate in the School Lunch Program have superior nutritional intakes compared to those who do not participate.