USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines 2026-2027
The USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines help determine whether a student qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals.
Think of it this way:
- The USDA sets income limits every year based on how many people live in your household.
- If your household income falls at or below those limits, your child may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
- The guidelines are updated every year to reflect changes in the cost of living.
What counts as a household?
A household includes everyone who lives together and shares income and expenses, even if they are not related.
Examples:
- Parents
- Children
- Grandparents
- Other relatives
- Anyone living in the home who shares household expenses
What counts as income?
Parents should report gross income, which is income before taxes or other deductions are taken out.
Examples include:
- Wages or salaries
- Self-employment income
- Social Security
- Unemployment benefits
- Child support or alimony received
- Retirement or pension income
- Other cash income received regularly
Parents should not subtract taxes, insurance, or retirement deductions before reporting income.
The FY2027 Income Eligibility Guideline Form
This chart is simply a reference table.
Parents use it to compare:
- Household size
- Household income
- Income frequency (weekly, every two weeks, twice a month, monthly, or yearly)
For example:
If there are 4 people in the household, the family compares their annual (or monthly, weekly, etc.) income to the amount shown for a family of four.
The chart tells whether the income falls into:
- Free Meals
- Reduced-Price Meals
- Paid Meals
It is not an application—it's only a guide for determining eligibility.
2026-2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines
The Household Income Form (Meal Benefit Application)
This is the form parents complete if they are applying based on income.
Parents will typically provide:
1. Names of everyone in the household
List every person living in the household.
2. Income for each household member
Report income before deductions.
The form usually asks how often the income is received:
- Weekly
- Every two weeks
- Twice monthly
- Monthly
- Yearly
3. Last four digits of the Social Security Number
The adult signing the application provides:
- the last four digits of their Social Security Number, or
- checks the box indicating they do not have one.
4. Signature
The application must be signed by an adult household member to be processed.