Illinois Free and Reduced-Price Meal Eligibility for 2020-21 School Year

The Illinois State Board of Education just released all eligibility guidelines for students to get free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks.

For all Illinois families who cannot afford to pay full price for these meals and snacks for their children, and who meet the federal poverty guidelines the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering help.

The USDA sets the policy for these meals and snacks each year to reflect any changes in the federal poverty guidelines.

In the chart below, you'll see the household size and income criteria for determining if your child(ren) are eligible to receive the free meals for the 2020-2021 school year.

Letters and applications are in the process of being sent to parents and guardians. The applications need to be filled out and returned to the school as soon as possible. You only need to fill out one application for all your kids in the same school district. If you don't get a letter and application in the mail, applications are available in the principal's office at every school, according to WREX.com.