Skip to Content
En Español
 
GovBenefits.gov - Your Benefits Connection
This image depicts a magnifying glass for searching.
Search

 
 
 
 
Home Benefits About Us Help
 
 
 
 

Benefit Details

Print this page Email this page
A group of people at a computer browsing the Internet
Note: GovBenefits.gov cannot guarantee your eligibility for any benefit program.

GovBenefits.gov - Your Benefits Connection
back
print
 

Benefit Details
Determine Eligibility
Check: All, None
  School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Collapse
This image depicts an envelope. Subscribe to School Lunch and Breakfast Programs e-mail updates
Program Description
School lunch and school breakfast programs make nutritionally balanced meals available to children as part of their regular school day. Over 95,000 schools offer low-cost or free lunches, and more than 78,000 schools offer low-cost or free breakfasts. Some schools offer snacks to children in afterschool programs. All school meals must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA’s nutrition standards.

General Program Requirements
Children qualify to receive free or low-cost meals while they attend school (high school and under) if their families’ household incomes meet the current income eligibility guidelines. Children who participate in certain other programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and children who are migrant, runaway, or homeless are automatically eligible for free meals. You can find out what the maximum income limits for eligibility are at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notices/iegs/IEGs.htm.

Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process
Contact your child’s school to find out what meals are served, and how to apply for free or reduced-price meals. Your state education agency can also give you information about school meals. The Food and Nutrition Service provides program and state contact information at these web pages:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/

and

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm

Program Contact Information
For more information visit:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/

Or email us at:
CNDINTERNET@fns.usda.gov

Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/

 
Back to top