The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food, Nutrition and Wellness Division has announced the household size and income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals or free milk for students unable to pay the full price under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs.
Each local school food authority office holds a copy of these guidelines for review by any interested party. The following household size and income criteria will determine eligibility:
**Income Eligibility Guidelines (Effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025)**
- Reduced Price Meals: 185% of federal poverty guidelines
- Free Meals: 130% of federal poverty guidelines
For example:
- A household size of one must have an annual income not exceeding $27,861 for reduced-price meals or $19,578 for free meals.
- For each additional person in the household beyond eight members, add $9,953 annually for reduced-price meal eligibility or $6,994 annually for free meal eligibility.
Children from households meeting federal guidelines are eligible for these benefits. Application forms are being distributed to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. Households must complete and return one application per school food authority as soon as possible. Applications lacking required information cannot be processed.
**Application Requirements:**
1. **SNAP/TANF Households:** List the child's name and SNAP or TANF case number; sign the application.
2. **All Other Households:** Provide names of all household members; last month's total income per member; signature of an adult member; last four digits of the signing adult's Social Security number.
Applications may be verified at any time during the school year. Confidentiality is maintained throughout this process.
Households can apply anytime during the school year if there is a change in circumstances such as decreased income or increased household size. Foster children qualify regardless of household income.
Children enrolled in Head Start/Even Start Programs or those considered homeless or runaway should contact their school district’s liaison for assistance.
A local school food authority official will review applications to determine eligibility. Dissatisfied households can discuss rulings with officials or request a fair hearing through their local school food authority.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA policies, this institution prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or prior civil rights activity reprisal.
Program information may be available in other languages upon request. Persons with disabilities needing alternative communication methods should contact relevant state/local agencies or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice/TTY) or via Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint:
Complete Form AD-3027 available online at USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (fdacs.gov), call (866) 632-9992 to request it from any USDA office, write to U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at 1400 Independence Avenue SW Washington D.C., fax to (833) 256-1665/(202) 690-7442; email program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.