See details for your state

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National School Lunch Program

BenefitFood AidRecurringRolling

What it may cover

Varies

Enrollment

Open enrollment

Where available

All 50 states and US territories

What you get

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, free or reduced-price lunches to children at participating public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions each school day. Children from households at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level receive free meals, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price meals at no more than $0.40. The program served approximately 30 million students daily and is administered by state agencies through participating schools.

Help paying for groceries and nutrition support, usually through a card, meal program, or local provider.

If you need food this week, ask the local office whether expedited or emergency help is available.

Do you qualify?

Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.

0/5 confirmed

Are you enrolled at a participating school or institution that has applied to the NSLP?
Free meals: household income at or below 130% of Federal Poverty Level ($39,000/year for family of 4 in 2024)
This program requires income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Select your household size to see your exact dollar limit.
How many people are in your household?
Count everyone who lives and eats with you — yourself, partner, children, and dependents.
Reduced-price meals: household income between 130% and 185% of FPL ($55,500/year for family of 4 in 2024)
This program requires income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Select your household size to see your exact dollar limit.
How many people are in your household?
Count everyone who lives and eats with you — yourself, partner, children, and dependents.
Categorical eligibility: children in households receiving SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Food Distribution Program automatically qualify for free meals without income verification?
Children in foster care, Head Start, and homeless/runaway youth qualify categorically?

What to bring

If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.

1Meal benefit application submitted to your school (each district/school has its own form — forms are sent home in September)
2For income-based eligibility: no documents at time of application — you provide household income and sign the form; school verifies a sample
3For categorical eligibility: SNAP/TANF/FDPIR case number on the application (no other docs needed)
4School will notify you by mail of your child's eligibility determination

How to apply

Processing time varies by location and program funding.

1Find the right local officeUse your ZIP code to confirm the local benefits office that handles National School Lunch Program.
2Apply online, by phone, or in personUse the official application path and keep a copy of anything you submit.
3Complete the interview or verificationMany benefits require a short call, appointment, or document check.
4Watch for a decisionKeep mail, email, and phone open so you do not miss follow-up requests.

Find local help

Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.

Program impact

Free lunch is available to children in families at or below 130% of the poverty line.

People helped

29.6 million children

daily

Annual federal budget

$16.7 billion

Average benefit

Free or reduced-price meals ($0–$0.40/meal)

Established

1946

You may also qualify for

Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Fair Food Network (USDA-supported)

Double Up Food Bucks

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

See details for your state

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National School Lunch Program

BenefitFood AidRecurringRolling

What it may cover

Varies

Enrollment

Open enrollment

Where available

All 50 states and US territories

What you get

Help paying for groceries and nutrition support, usually through a card, meal program, or local provider.

If you need food this week, ask the local office whether expedited or emergency help is available.

Do you qualify?

Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.

0/5 confirmed

Are you enrolled at a participating school or institution that has applied to the NSLP?
Free meals: household income at or below 130% of Federal Poverty Level ($39,000/year for family of 4 in 2024)
This program requires income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Select your household size to see your exact dollar limit.
How many people are in your household?
Count everyone who lives and eats with you — yourself, partner, children, and dependents.
Reduced-price meals: household income between 130% and 185% of FPL ($55,500/year for family of 4 in 2024)
This program requires income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Select your household size to see your exact dollar limit.
How many people are in your household?
Count everyone who lives and eats with you — yourself, partner, children, and dependents.
Categorical eligibility: children in households receiving SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Food Distribution Program automatically qualify for free meals without income verification?
Children in foster care, Head Start, and homeless/runaway youth qualify categorically?

What to bring

If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.

1Meal benefit application submitted to your school (each district/school has its own form — forms are sent home in September)
2For income-based eligibility: no documents at time of application — you provide household income and sign the form; school verifies a sample
3For categorical eligibility: SNAP/TANF/FDPIR case number on the application (no other docs needed)
4School will notify you by mail of your child's eligibility determination

How to apply

Processing time varies by location and program funding.

1Find the right local officeUse your ZIP code to confirm the local benefits office that handles National School Lunch Program.
2Apply online, by phone, or in personUse the official application path and keep a copy of anything you submit.
3Complete the interview or verificationMany benefits require a short call, appointment, or document check.
4Watch for a decisionKeep mail, email, and phone open so you do not miss follow-up requests.

Find local help

Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.

Program impact

Free lunch is available to children in families at or below 130% of the poverty line.

People helped

29.6 million children

daily

Annual federal budget

$16.7 billion

Average benefit

Free or reduced-price meals ($0–$0.40/meal)

Established

1946

You may also qualify for

Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Fair Food Network (USDA-supported)

Double Up Food Bucks

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations