ISBE announces income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-priced meals at participating child care centers

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced the income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals at participating child care centers across the state. According to information collected by the department, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has helped serve meals to more than 135,000 Illinois children per day this year. CACFP provides healthy meals and snacks to children at child care centers, Head Start programs, before- and after-school programs, emergency shelters, and day care home providers. 

All participating child care centers must provide meals to enrolled children at no additional cost. CACFP, which is a federally funded program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offered crucial support over the past year, meeting nutrition needs at more than 3,000 sites across the state as families recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The Child and Adult Care Food Program allows child care centers, shelters, and other providers to serve hot meals and healthy snacks to the children in their care," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “The program provides a vital service to Illinois families, especially during the pandemic, when food budgets tightened, and more families experienced food insecurity. ISBE is proud to combat hunger in Illinois by administering this program and ensuring 135,000 children and families know where they'll get their next meal." 

Illinois is home to nearly 800 providers, some of which operate multiple sites, supported by the CACFP. 

Individuals in households who participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. The USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines determine eligibility to receive free meal benefits for families that do not receive TANF or SNAP benefits. If a household's income falls within or below the listed guidelines, a member of the household should contact their child care center or day care home provider to learn about benefits of the CACFP. They may be required to complete an application and provide income, TANF, or SNAP information. 

Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs at approved Head Start facilities and foster care children who are legal responsibilities of the state or court also receive free meal benefits. Parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider to find out if they participate in CACFP. 

ISBE provided the income eligibility guidelines to CACFP providers in May 2021. 

Income Eligibility Guidelines Effective from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022 

​Civil Rights Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (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) found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/how-file-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:

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.