The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Child Nutrition announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Snack Program. Families with children who are unable to pay the full price of the meals are encouraged to apply for benefits.
Meal applications and instructions for applying for meal benefits are sent home with each student during registration, or parents may apply via an online portal (if applicable). To apply for the meal benefits, each household should fill out the application and return it to the school or institution. Additional copies of the application are available at the administrative office of each facility.
For the school/institution officials to determine eligibility, the household must report income information or provide a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number. If a child receives TANF payments or is a member of a SNAP or FDPIR household, the parent or guardian must provide only the name of the child, SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number, and sign the application to allow the child to receive free meals. Homeless, migrant, or runaway youth are categorically eligible for free meals.
Other applicants must report household income identified by source, such as earnings, welfare and alimony received by each household member. In order for income applicants to be approved, the household must provide the following on the application: the names of all household members, each household member’s monthly income identified by source, the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct, and the last four digits of the social security number of an adult who signs the application or an indication that this adult household member does not have a social security number. The information is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data. Verification of the application may occur at any time during the year by the school/institution or program officials.
Households may apply for benefits at any time during the year as circumstances change. In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for meal benefits. If a household has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for benefits, the household should contact the school/institution for more information.
Each school/institution has a copy of their approved free and reduced-price meal policy, which indicates who is responsible for determining eligibility. The determining official is, in most instances, the principal, the food service administrator, or the program director. Each school/school district/institution has an individual named as the hearing official. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. To make a formal appeal, the parents or guardians may make a request either orally or in writing to the hearing official. The school/institution office or the superintendent’s office can provide you with the name, address, and phone number of the hearing official.
Children from households whose income is at or below the Income Eligibility Guidelines may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The Income Eligibility Guidelines for reduced-price meals (School Year 2026-2027) can be located via the following link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/09/2026-06842/child-nutrition-programs-income-eligibility-guidelines
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Full NDS Statement: https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/usda-nondiscrimination-statement-other-fns-programs
Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.