Income Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Announced

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is announcing release of the national household income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.

The income guidelines are effective now through June 30, 2025.

While virtually all public schools across Michigan are participating in the Michigan School Meals Program, these income guidelines remain critical for families whose children attend schools that do not participate in Michigan School Meals program or participate in other child nutrition programs such as Special Milk and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Under USDA guidelines, families that qualify based on their household income can receive meals for their children at free or reduced prices. These guidelines are designed to help ensure that no student goes hungry during the day, promoting better learning outcomes and overall well-being.

“Working with our state and national partners, MDE is committed to ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals, which are essential for their well-being and academic success, and contributes to Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to improve the health, safety, and wellness of all learners,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “We encourage families who may be eligible to review the income guidelines and apply for the benefits.”

To qualify:

• Families should contact their school, school district, childcare center, or family day care home sponsor to find out whether it participates in these programs.
• Schools, childcare centers, adult day care centers, and family day care home sponsors will provide an application or form for households to complete. If all children in a household attend the same school or center, only one is required per household.
• Adults, children, or foster children who are recipients of various programs such as Michigan’s Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands, or who are enrolled in Head Start, an at-risk afterschool center, or an emergency shelter, are automatically eligible for free meals. Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by filling out an application.

Households with incomes less than or equal to the following guidelines qualify for free or reduced-price meals or free milk:

An application to a school, childcare center, adult day care center, or family day care home sponsor can be approved if it contains complete documentation of household income, or documentation of current participation in Michigan’s Family Independence Program, Food Assistance Program, or Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands. Participating schools, childcare centers, adult day care centers, and family day care home sponsors accept these applications at any time during the year. A household may qualify due to a temporary loss of income, such as a period of unemployment.

Information supplied on an application may be verified at any time. In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. An appeal procedure is available for households where applications are denied. 

If a doctor has determined that a child or adult has a disability, and the disability would prevent the participant from eating the regular meal, the school or center will make reasonable substitutions to meal and/or snacks for participants who are considered to have a disability or medical need that restricts their diet. This is done on a case-by-case basis. The doctor’s statement, including prescribed diet and/or substitution, must be submitted to the food service department of the school, childcare facility, or adult care facility.

This notification is required annually by the USDA to recognize adjustments in the consumer price index. For some public schools that participate in the Michigan School Meals program, families will still need to complete the Education and Nutrition Benefits application or the Education Benefits form available from the school. These forms are important to determine to what extent the local district is eligible for other state funding and may help a household be eligible for other support such as Pay to Play waivers, field trip support, and testing fees. Check with the school to see which application or form needs to be completed. Income Guidelines for School Nutrition Programs Frequently Asked Questions are available.

Last school year, with the support of the state legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan became one of several states to provide universal free meals in public schools. State funds support the cost of meals unreimbursed by the federal government, in excess of $190 million in fiscal year 2024. By completing and submitting these forms, Michigan is able to maximize its federal funding.

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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture 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 should 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: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 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; fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.