Free and Reduced School Meals

About This Program

The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide free or reduced-price meals to students from low-income households at participating public and nonprofit private schools. Free meals go to children from households at or below 130% of the federal poverty level; reduced-price meals (capped at $0.40 for lunch and $0.30 for breakfast) are available to households between 130% and 185% FPL. In many schools, all students receive free meals regardless of income through the Community Eligibility Provision. Applications are submitted through your child's school, usually at the start of each school year. A single application covers all children in the household. You will need to provide household income information or indicate participation in SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR — those households qualify automatically. Schools are required to keep application information confidential. Children who qualify for free or reduced school meals may also receive automatic eligibility for other programs. In many states, qualifying for school meals directly connects a family to SNAP enrollment reviews or Medicaid. The P-EBT program, which provided grocery benefits during school closures, was built on the school meals eligibility list. If your household income changes during the school year — through job loss, reduced hours, or other circumstances — you can submit a new application at any time. Eligibility is not locked in at the start of the year.

Eligibility Requirements

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