Free & Reduced School Lunch (NSLP)

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides free or reduced-price lunch to children from low-income families at participating schools. Over 30 million children receive free or reduced-price meals each school day.

Who qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch?

Eligibility is based on household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL):

Children are also automatically eligible for free meals if any household member participates in SNAP, TANF, or certain other assistance programs — no separate application needed in most cases.

Foster children, homeless children, migrant children, and children enrolled in Head Start or Even Start are also automatically eligible for free meals.

What is the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)?

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows high-poverty schools and districts to serve free meals to all students without requiring individual household applications. If your child's school participates in CEP, every student gets free meals automatically — regardless of family income.

Ask your school or district whether they participate in CEP. If they do, no application is needed and all meals are free.

Does the NSLP include breakfast?

Many schools also participate in the School Breakfast Program (SBP), which follows the same income-based eligibility rules. Children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch also qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast at schools that participate. Ask your child's school whether they offer school breakfast.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to your child's school or school district — not to a federal or state agency. Each year at the start of the school year, schools send home a meal application (or provide one online).

What to include on the application:

• Names and Social Security numbers (last 4 digits) of all household members
• Gross income for each household member (before taxes)
• Or: program participation (SNAP, TANF) if applying based on automatic eligibility
• Signature of an adult household member

Applications are processed by the school and approval is typically communicated within a few days. You can apply at any time during the school year — benefits apply from the date of approval.

Learn more at the USDA National School Lunch Program page →

Common questions

Does my child automatically qualify if we receive SNAP?

Yes. If your household receives SNAP benefits, your children are automatically certified for free school meals. Many schools receive this information directly from the state — but check with your school to confirm they have your SNAP case information, or bring your SNAP notice to the school office.

What if I miss the application deadline?

There is no deadline — you can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any point during the school year. Benefits begin from the date your application is approved. Your child will pay full price until the application is processed.

Are summer meals available when school is out?

Yes. The USDA's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free meals to children 18 and under at approved summer meal sites during the summer. No application or income verification is required — any child can eat for free at participating sites. Find sites at USDA.gov or by texting "FOOD" to 304-304.

Does getting free school lunch affect other benefits?

No. Receiving free or reduced-price school meals does not affect eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, WIC, or any other benefit program. It is not counted as income.