Eligibility for Free or Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2026-2027 federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina's schools. The federally-assisted School Nutrition Programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school.

"Educational excellence isn't achieved through engaging and rigorous classrooms alone. Healthy and nutritious meals are essential to ensuring students are focused and ready to learn," North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green said. "When students eat school meals, they have improved focus and academic success."

The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, are available at fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals.

The household size and income criteria identified above will be used to determine student eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Cash Assistance (CA) are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the determining official through direct certification. Foster children that are the legal responsibility of a social services agency or court are considered categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.

(Note: SNAP was formerly known as the "Food Stamps" Program. In North Carolina, SNAP is called "Food and Nutrition Services" or FNS. The CA program was formerly known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF).

Applications for free and reduced-price school meals are being made available to all households. Applications should be available in the office at each school. In North Carolina, students approved for reduced-price meals receive a meal at no cost. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school or to the School Nutrition Office within the school district, charter school, non-public school or other institution participating in the National School Lunch Program. The information provided on the application for free and reduced priced meal benefits will be used to determine students' eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Families receiving FNS or CA do not need to complete an application because they are automatically certified by the determining official via direct certification.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced priced benefits, an adult household member must sign the application. Applications must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of income received by each household member, and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the household member signing the application does not have a social security number, they must indicate that a social security number is not available. All applications for free and reduced priced meal benefits are subject to verification of income at any time during the school year by program officials.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the School Nutrition Administrator or designee in each school district will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district, charter school, non-public school or other participating institution.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may qualify children of the household for school meals benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Some of the most common questions and answers about free and reduced priced meals are addressed in the FAQ.

For more information, contact the NCDPI, Office of School Nutrition at (984) 236-2910 or contact the School Nutrition Administrator in the school district, charter school or non-public school of other participating institution in which your child is enrolled.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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