News Release

September 10, 2021

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES ANNOUNCED FOR SCHOOL LUNCH, OTHER NUTRITION PROGRAMS

The Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Nutrition Services has announced the Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for those unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch, Breakfast, Special Milk, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP).

Participating schools, child care, and adult care centers have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. During the 2021-22 school year, districts that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs may choose to offer no-cost meals to all enrolled students through the Seamless Summer Option. Participation in this program does not require completion of a meal application.

For schools that opt to participate in the traditional National School Lunch and/or Breakfast Programs, and for child care centers that participate in the CACFP, participants may apply for free or reduced-price meals by completing the meal application and returning it to their school or agency. Application forms have been made available to all households, along with a letter to parents, guardians, or adult participants to explain the purpose of the application, as well as instructions on how to complete it. Additional copies are available from school principals and agency administrators/directors. The information provided on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the year by school or program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

Children who receive benefits from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are automatically eligible to receive free meals, as are participants at adult care centers receiving SNAP, FDPIR, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid.

The same meals will be made available to all enrolled participants regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability, and there is no discrimination during the meal service. Non-pricing programs provide meals at no charge. Pricing programs provide free and reduced-price meals to those meeting the approved eligibility criteria. Persons who believe they have been treated unfairly in receiving food services for any of these reasons should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Participants from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals:

NUTRITION SERVICES INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

JULY 1, 2021 – JUNE 30, 2022

Household Size	Free Meals			Reduced-Price Meals
	Annual	Monthly	Weekly	Annual	Monthly	Weekly
1	16,744	1,396	322	23,828	1,986	459
2	22,646	1,888	436	32,227	2,686	620
3	28,548	2,379	549	40,626	3,386	782
4	34,450	2,871	663	49,025	4,086	943
5	40,352	3,363	776	57,424	4,786	1,105
6	46,254	3,855	890	65,823	5,486	1,266
7	52,156	4,347	1,003	74,222	6,186	1,428
8	58,058	4,839	1,117	82,621	6,886	1,589
For each additional family member add:	5,902	492	114	8,399	700	162

 

NOTE TO MEDIA: A list of the participating schools and agencies, by county, is available on the Nutrition Services web site at Schools, Organizations, and Institutions Participating in Child Nutrition Programs.

Visit the SY2021-22 Income Guidelines here: https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Income-Elgibility-Guidelines-FY22.pdf.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider.

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