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Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines
Plain English Summary
The Department has updated the Income Eligibility Guidelines for the 2026-2027 school year. These guidelines determine who qualifies for free and reduced-price meals, free milk, and Summer EBT benefits. Schools and organizations that provide these meals will use these updated guidelines to ensure that assistance goes to children who need it most. Insurance agents should stay informed about these changes as they may impact families they serve.
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This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, free milk, and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits for the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. These guidelines are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, as well as for States and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer the Summer EBT for Children Program. The annual adjustments are required by section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The guidelines are intended to direct benefits to those children most in need and are revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.