For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Free and Reduced-Price Meals eligibility guidelines set for 2018-19 school year

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced the eligibility guidelines for students to receive free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The policy took effect at th​​e ​start of the 2019 fiscal year on July 1, 2018. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets the policy for each fiscal year to reflect any changes in the federal poverty guidelines.

The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are funded by USDA and administered by ISBE. Free and reduced-price meals ensure access to nutritious meals and snacks for families unable to pay the full price.

“Good nutrition is essential to children's readiness to learn," said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “The only meals many of our students get are at school. Illinois' agricultural assets give us an amazing opportunity to feed students high-quality, healthy foods. ISBE is very proud to administer school nutrition programs in Illinois."

The following chart lists the household size and income criteria that determine students' eligibility to receive free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. View the USDA's Fiscal Year 2019 Income Eligibility Guidelines ​on the ISBE's website​.

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Income Eligibility Guidelines
Effective from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019

Free Meals
130% Federal Poverty Guideline

Household SizeAnnualMonthlyTwice Per Month​​Every Two WeeksWeekly
115,782 1,316 658 607 304
221,398 1,784 892 823 412
327,014 2,252​ 1,126 1,039 520
432,630 2,720 1,360 1,255 628
5​
38,246 3,188 1,594 1,471 736
643,862 3,656 1,828 1,687 844
749,478 4,124 2,062 1,903 952
855,094 4,592 2,296 2,119 1,060
For each additional family member, add5,616 468 234 216 108

Reduced-Price Meals
185% Federal Poverty Guideline

​ ​ ​
Household SizeAnnualMonthlyTwice Per MonthEvery Two Weeks​​​​Weekly
122,459 1,872 936 864 432
230,451 2,538 1,269 1,172 586
338,443 3,204 1,602 1,479 740
446,435 3,870 1,935 1,786 893
554,427 4,536 2,268 2,094 1,047
662,419 5,202 2,601 2,401 1,201
770,411 5,868 2,934 2,709 1,355
878,403 6,534 3,267 3,016 1,508
​For each additional family member, add7,992 666 333 308 154​

USDA provided the following information for families and guardians seeking free or reduced-price meals for students:

Children from households that meet federal guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meal services. Complete one application per household for all children who ​attend the same school district.

All meals served must meet USDA meal requirements. However, a school can make substitutions prescribed by a doctor if a child has been determined by the doctor to have a disability that would prevent the child from eating the regular school meal. There will be no extra charge if a substitute meal is needed. Please contact the school for more information if you believe your child needs substitutions because of a disability.

Letters, along with application forms, are being sent to parents or guardians. Households must complete the application as soon as possible, sign it, and return it to the school to apply for free or reduced-price meal services. Additional copies of the application form are available in the principal's office in each school. Households should answer all applicable questions on the form. An application that does not contain all the required information cannot be processed and approved by the school. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants may be eligible for free/reduced-price meals and are encouraged to complete an application for meal benefits.

The required information is as follows:

​SNAP/TANF HOUSEHOLDS: You do not have to complete this application to receive free meal benefits if the school provided you a letter that stated your child(ren) is eligible for free meals via the direct certification process. Households that currently receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for their child(ren) only have to list the child(ren)'s name and at least one SNAP or TANF case number and sign the application. All children listed on the application are categorically eligible for free meals if at least one SNAP/TANF case number for any household member is provided. Applications listing LINK card numbers cannot be used for free or reduced-price meals.

ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS: Children are eligible for either free or reduced-price meal services if a household's income is at or below the level shown on the income scale. Households must provide the following information:

  • The names of all household members;
  • The last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member signing the application, or indicate if the adult does not have a Social Security number;
  • The amount of income each household member received last month, how frequently it is paid, and where it came from (wages, child support, etc.); and
  • The signature of an adult household member.

The information on the application may be checked by school or other officials at any time during the school year. Households may apply for benefits at any time during the school year. Households that are not eligible now but have a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, or that have a household member become unemployed should fill out an application at that time. Children in temporary living situations, including homeless, migrant, and runaway youth and youth in foster care, and children participating in Head Start are categorically eligible for free meals. ​Please follow instructions and return form to school. Households that do not agree with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss it with the school. Households also have the right to a fair hearing.

Civil Rights Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA; its agencies, offices, and employees; and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

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 agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) online or 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:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax:   (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.​​

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