Pennsylvania releases new eligibility requirements for free and reduced school meals

(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Department of Education unveiled new eligibility guidelines for free and reduced school meals.

The guidelines, set by the United States Department of Agriculture, govern eligibility for federal breakfast and lunch programs.

Those programs include the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.

In 2023, more than 56% of public school students in Pennsylvania qualified for free or reduced meals, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The following annual income eligibility guidelines are effective July 1, 2025, until further notice:

Free Meals —

Household incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty line.

Household Size:	Annual Income:	Once/Month:	Twice/Month:	Every Two Weeks:	Weekly:
One	20,345	1,696	848	783	392
Two	27,495	2,292	1,146	1,058	529
Three	34,645	2,888	1,444	1,333	667
Four	41,795	3,483	1,742	1,608	804
Five	48,945	4,079	2,040	1,883	942
Six	56,095	4,675	2,338	2,158	1,079
Seven	63,245	5,271	2,636	2,433	1,217
Eight	70,395	5,867	2,934	2,708	1,354
For each additional family member, add:	+7,150	+596	+298	+275	+138

Reduced Price Meals —

Household incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty line.

Household Size:	Annual Income:	Once/Month:	Twice/Month:	Every Two Weeks:	Weekly:
One	28,953	2,413	1,207	1,114	557
Two	39,128	3,261	1,631	1,505	753
Three	49,303	4,109	2,055	1,897	949
Four	59,478	4,957	2,479	2,288	1,144
Five	69,653	5,805	2,903	2,679	1,340
Six	79,828	6,653	3,327	3,071	1,536
Seven	90,003	7,501	3,751	3,462	1,731
Eight	100,178	8,349	4,175	2,853	1,927
For each additional family member, add:	+10,175	+848	+424	+392	+196

Households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families can apply for free or reduced school meals using just their case numbers.

Households enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children or Medicaid may also qualify for free or reduced-price school meals based on income.

Households can apply for benefits here.