MDE Child Nutrition announces USDA income guidelines for school food programs
Published 9:00 am Friday, July 17, 2026
The Mississippi Department of Education Office of Child Nutrition has announced the US Department of Agriculture income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals. These guidelines are for meals served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and After School Snack Program. Families with children who are unable to pay the full price of the meals are encouraged to apply for benefits
Meal applications and instructions for applying for meal benefits are sent home with each student during registration, or parents may apply. To apply for the meal benefits, each household should fill out the application and return it to the school or institution. Additional copies of the application are available at the administrative office of each facility
For the school or institution officials to determine eligibility, the household must report income information or provide a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations case number. If a child receives TANF payments or is a member of a SNAP or FDPIR household, the parent or guardian must provide only the name of the child, SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number, and sign the application to allow the child to receive free meals. Homeless, migrant, or runaway youth are categorically eligible for free meals.
Other applicants must report household income identified by source, such as earnings, welfare and alimony received by each household member. In order for income applicants to be approved, the household must provide the following on the application: the names of all household members, each household member’s monthly income identified by source, the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct, and the last four digits of the social security number of an adult who signs the application or an indication that this adult household member does not have a social security number. The information is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data. Verification of the application may occur at any time during the year by the school/institution or program officials.
Households may apply for benefits at any time during the year as circumstances change. In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for meal benefits. If a household has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for benefits, the household should contact the school/institution for more information
Each school/institution has a copy of their approved free and reduced-price meal policy, which indicates who is responsible for determining eligibility. The determining official is, in most instances, the principal, the food service administrator, or the program director. Each school/school district/institution has an individual named as the hearing official. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. To make a formal appeal, the parents or guardians may make a request either orally or in writing to the hearing official. The school/institution office or the superintendent’s office can provide you with the name, address, and phone number of the hearing official.
Children from households whose income is at or below the Income Eligibility Guidelines may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The Income Eligibility Guidelines for reduced-price meals can be located at www.federalregister.gov
