School Lunch Program
Started shortly after World War II, this program today provides millions of children through high school with a balanced, healthy lunch to fuel the energy they need to learn and grow. While some states offer free lunch to all students in participating schools, here are the national eligibility rules for the program. Eligibility thresholds are higher for Alaska and Hawaii! (Families enrolled in federal programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are already qualified.)
| Benefit: | Individual income: | Family-of-four income: |
| Free lunch | $18,954 | $39,000 |
| Reduced cost lunch | $26,973 | $55,000 |