Overview
Child Nutrition Programs webpage |
School Nutrition Programs webpage
CACFP webpage |
SFSP webpage
In February of each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes annual Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEG) for the Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) in the Federal Register. The IEG are used to determine participants' eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, free milk, and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits. The IEG are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Special Milk Program (SMP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
The IEG annual adjustments are required by section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The guidelines are intended to direct benefits to those children most in need and are revised annually by the USDA to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.