Eligibility
for
free
or
reduced-price meals
is
determined by your
Household Size
and
Income Level
Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents. For the period of July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, 130 percent of the poverty level is $29,055 for a family of four; 185 percent is $41,348. For your convenience, a link to the USDA’s website with the updated guidelines and income eligibility requirements based on different family sizes is provided below:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notices/iegs/IEGs.htm
Do you receive unemployment benefits?
If you are eligible for unemployment benefits, you may also be eligible for free or reduced price school meals.
With the cooperation of the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, the USDA is reaching out to households affected by current economic conditions. State Workforce Agency Administrators have been asked to inform applicants for unemployment benefits about the availability of free and reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program.
Please contact your local school for additional information about how you may qualify.