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Changes coming for Pennsylvania’s free, reduced school meal program
By Hayden Sherry,
23 hours ago
(WHTM) — New eligibility guidelines have been released for Pennsylvania’s free and reduced school meals for the 2024-2025 school year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released federal guidelines regarding income eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals and free milk for the July 2024 – June 2025 school year.
The USDA expanded the guidelines to help students and their families increase the likelihood of being eligible for programs such as the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.
The following annual income eligibility guidelines are effective July 1, 2024, until further notice:
Free Meals – 130%
Household Size
Annual
Monthly
Twice per Month (24 pay periods/year)
Every Two Weeks (26 pay periods/year)
Weekly
1
$19,578.00
$1,632.00
$816.00
$753.00
$377.00
2
$26,572.00
$2,215.00
$1,108.00
$1,022.00
$511.00
3
$33,566.00
$2,798.00
$1,399.00
$1,291.00
$646.00
4
$40,560.00
$3,380.00
$1,690.00
$1,560.00
$780.00
5
$47,554.00
$3,963.00
$1,982.00
$1,892.00
$915.00
6
$54,548.00
$4,546.00
$2,273.00
$2,098.00
$1049.00
7
$61,542.00
$5,129.00
$2,565.00
$2,367.00
$1,184.00
8
$68,536.00
$5,712.00
$2,856.00
$2,636.00
$1,318.00
For each add’l family member, add
$6,994.00
$583.00
$292.00
$269.00
$135.00
Reduced Price meals – 185%
Household Size
Annual
Monthly
Twice per Month (24 pay periods/year)
Every Two Weeks (26 pay periods/year)
Weekly
1
$27,861.00
$2,322.00
$1,161.00
$1,072.00
$536.00
2
$37,814.00
$3,152.00
$1,576.00
$1455.00
$728.00
3
$47,767.00
$3,961.00
$1,991.00
$1838.00
$919.00
4
$57,720.00
$4,810.00
$2,405.00
$2,220.00
$1,110.00
5
$67,673.00
$5,640.00
$2,820.00
$2,603.00
$1,302.00
6
$77,626.00
$6,469.00
$3,235.00
$2,986.00
$1,493.00
7
$87,579.00
$7,299.00
$3,650.00
$3,369.00
$1,685.00
8
$97,532.00
$8,128.00
$4,064.00
$3,752.00
$1876.00
For each add’l family member, add
$9,953.00
$830.00
$415.00
$383.00
$192.00
To apply, households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) must only include case numbers on their application. Households enrolled in Medicaid or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals based on income. They should also complete a Household Meal Benefit Application.
Other households can find more information on the Commonwealth’s COMPASS website .
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“The Shapiro Administration has signaled its commitment to addressing food insecurity by providing universal free breakfast to public school students, and expanding access to nutritious meals throughout the day through the free and reduced program,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “We know that students need to be fed to focus, learn, and achieve, and we encourage all previously eligible and newly eligible households to apply for this incredible program.”
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