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National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
To be eligible for this benefit program, your household’s income must fall at or below the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. You also must be one of the following:
- A parent or primary caregiver who is responsible for a child(ren) who attends high school or under, or
- Age 18 or under.
You may also be eligible if your family receives SNAP, FDPIR, Head Start, WIC, unemployment compensation or TANF or if you are a foster child, homeless, or runaway.
Schools send school meal applications home at the beginning of each school year. However, parents and guardians may apply for school meals for their children any time during the school year by asking for and submitting an application directly to their school or district.
Applications are reviewed by local school or district officials before granting free or reduced price benefits. If a household receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, all of the children who attend school automatically qualify for free school meals. Participation in other Federal assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) also provides automatic eligibility. Please contact your child’s school to determine if you need to fill out an application.
If you are a parent or guardian, contact your child’s school or school district to learn if your child’s school participates in one or both of these programs.
To contact the State Agency that administers the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program in your state, visit the State Contact Information webpage.
For more information visit FNS's School Meals page.
To contact the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, visit FNS's Contact Us page.
If you need food help today, you may also call the National Hunger Hotline. Hotline staff can help you find food near where you live:
- 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479)
- 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (en español)
| 10.555, 10.553 | |
| Program not specific to American Indians and Alaska Natives, but they are eligible | |
| Mandatory | |
| No |