HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has announced updated income eligibility guidelines for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2025-26 school year, expanding access to free and reduced-price meals for students across the Commonwealth.
The revised guidelines, which take effect July 1, align with federal standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are recalculated annually to account for changes in the federal poverty level. Under the new thresholds, more families will qualify for meal support, helping ensure that students receive consistent access to nutritious meals that support academic success and overall well-being.
“Providing students with healthy meals during the school day is critical to their ability to learn and thrive,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “When we remove barriers to nutrition, we are supporting not just individual students but entire communities by fostering better educational and health outcomes.”
To qualify for free meals, a household of four must earn an annual income of $40,882 or less. For reduced-price meals, the cutoff for a family of four is set at $58,016. Income eligibility is determined using household income and family size, and applications are typically distributed by schools at the start of each academic year.
The updated guidelines apply to a range of programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
In addition to expanded eligibility, many schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing them to provide free meals to all students regardless of household income. Families are encouraged to contact their local school districts to learn about specific participation and application procedures.
The Department emphasized that consistent access to school meals not only addresses immediate hunger needs but also contributes to long-term health, cognitive development, and academic achievement.
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