National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
What is National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs ?
The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program provide nutritionally balanced meals to children as part of their regular school day. These programs are federally assisted meal programs that operate in approximately 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. To learn if your child’s school participates in one or both of these programs, contact your child’s school or school district.
Administration
National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs is administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Program Requirements
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.
Application Details
What is the application process for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs ?
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.