State announces free and reduced-price meals policy for 2026-27 academic year

The Delaware Department of Education announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Snack Program (ASSP). Each participating school and its administrative office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

In the 2026-27 school year, schools will continue to operate the NSLP, SBP, and ASSP under normal operations and will be collecting free or reduced-price meal eligibility applications, unless the school elects to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Meal benefit forms will be sent home with a letter to families. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the form for their household and return it to the school. The information provided on the form will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by program officials. Information on the form may not be used for any other purpose unless consent is granted by parent/guardian.

For program officials to determine eligibility, households not receiving SNAP and/or DE-TANF must list: names of all household members; the amount of the gross income for each household member received last month; the income source and how often received; the signature of an adult household member; and that adult's last four digits of social security number, or the word "none" or "No Social Security Number" box marked if the adult does not have a Social Security Number. Households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and/or Delaware Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (DE-TANF), who have not already been identified as directly certified, must list the child's name, their SNAP and/or DE-TANF case number, and provide a signature and name of an adult household member. The meal benefit forms may be submitted at any time during the school year.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the school nutrition services supervisor will review the meal benefit forms and determine eligibility. Families dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Those wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing to the administrative office for a hearing on the decision.

Children who are enrolled in Head Start or who are homeless, migrant, runaway, or in foster care are eligible for free school meal benefits. Those wishing to apply should follow the instructions on the meal benefit form or contact their school for more information.

Households may report changes or reapply for meal benefits anytime during the school year. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.

Media contact: Alison May, [email protected], 302-735-4006