SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WREX) � Education officials in Illinois have released eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for school this year.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) 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 the start of fiscal year 2021 on July 1, 2020. 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 the 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.
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. USDA’s  are also on the ISBE’s website at . Families with questions about eligibility should contact their school or district for more information.
Children from households that meet federal guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meal services must complete one application per household for all children who attend the same school district.
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.
