The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2025-26 federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools. The Federally-assisted School Nutrition Programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school.
“Research indicates that students who eat school meals have improved school attendance, better focus in class, increased test scores, and healthier overall diets,” said State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “School meals support academic excellence for students and are a nutritious, convenient choice for families.”
The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 are available at fns.usda.gov.
The household size and income criteria will be used to determine student eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Cash Assistance (CA) are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the determining official through direct certification. Foster children that are the legal responsibility of a social services agency or court are considered categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.
(Note: SNAP was formerly known as the “Food Stamps” Program. In North Carolina, SNAP is called “Food and Nutrition Services” or FNS. The CA program was formerly known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF).
Applications for free and reduced-price school meals are being made available to all households. Applications should be available in the office at each school. In North Carolina, students approved for reduced-price meals receive a meal at no cost. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school or to the School Nutrition Office within the school district, charter school, non-public school or other institution participating in the National School Lunch Program. The information provided on the application for free and reduced priced meal benefits will be used to determine students’ eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Families receiving FNS or CA do not need to complete an application because they are automatically certified by the determining official via direct certification.
For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced priced benefits, an adult household member must sign the application. Applications must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of income received by each household member, and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the household member signing the application does not have a social security number, they must indicate that a social security number is not available. All applications for free and reduced priced meal benefits are subject to verification of income at any time during the school year by program officials.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the School Nutrition Administrator or designee in each school district will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district, charter school, non-public school or other participating institution.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may qualify children of the household for school meals benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.
Some of the most common questions and answers about free and reduced priced meals may be found here.
For more information, contact the NCDPI, Office of School Nutrition at (984) 236-2910 or contact the School Nutrition Administrator in the school district, charter school or non-public school of other participating institution in which your child is enrolled.
---
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.