How to Qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch

The National Free Lunch Program was established by the federal government to help families in need guarantee that their children can eat a healthy lunch while they are at school. It helps over 30 million children every year and provides them with free or reduced cost lunch. Learn how to find out if you qualify for free or reduced cost lunch so that you can save money on daily lunch for your children.

Things You'll Need

• personal and financial information

Instructions

1. Who Qualifies for Free and Reduced School Lunches?
   The government guidelines say that anyone at or below 130% of the poverty level qualifies for free lunch and between 131%-185% of the poverty level qualify for reduced lunch. Depending on your exact family income, the school district will determine the school lunch cost for your children.

2. How to Apply for Free and Reduced School Lunches?
   The easiest way to apply is to call your child's school and ask about the free and reduced school lunch program. Most schools have applications available at the main office and it can be filled out rather quickly. Once you fill it out, the school will review the file and let you know of your status. Look out specifically at the beginning of the year when schools pass out these forms.

3. Then what?
   The last step of this process is when your family is approved. Your child will receive instructions on how much they need to pay (if any) as well as what meals they qualify for. They may receive a stamp to use everyday at lunch as a meal ticket or may simply need to provide their name depending on the size of the school. That's all you need to do to apply for free and reduced school lunches.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply even if you aren't sure you qualify - anything can help when your family is in financial struggle.