USDA Announces New Income Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price Eligibility
Households that Meet the Income Guidelines Should Complete the Application for Educational Benefits Provided by Their Schools
MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its income guidelines for free and reduced-price eligibility for Child Nutrition Programs.
Though Minnesota provides free meals for students who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program, schools must still collect Applications for Educational Benefits to determine eligibility categories and receive the correct federal and state reimbursements.
Under the 2026-27 federal income guidelines, families may qualify for free benefits with monthly incomes up to $2,345 for a family of two, increasing by $615 for each additional family member. Families may qualify for reduced-price benefits with monthly incomes up to $3,337 for a family of two, increasing by $875 for each additional family member.
In addition to qualifying based on income, families may also qualify based on participation in assistance programs such as SNAP, MFIP, or FDPIR, or through student status such as foster care, Head Start, homelessness, or migrant status.
Families that meet the eligibility requirements should complete the application to help their children’s schools and to receive additional support such as summer grocery benefits, utility discounts, and test fee waivers.
The application can be submitted at any time during the school year and is available through a student’s school or district.
