BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has updated its income guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals for the upcoming school year. The new guidelines, which are in effect through June 30, 2026, are based on federal poverty levels and are updated annually.
For a family of four, a child will qualify for free meals if the household’s annual income is at or below $41,795. Eligibility for reduced-price meals extends to a family of four with an income between $41,796 and $59,478. Due to state funding from the Maryland Cares for Kids Act, all reduced-price meals are provided to students at no cost.
Some students are automatically eligible for free meals without needing to submit an application. This includes children who are homeless, migrant, runaway, foster children, or those living in households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits. Children enrolled in Head Start or Even Start programs also automatically qualify.
To apply, families must submit a complete application. Schools will then notify households of their child’s eligibility. Families can reapply at any point during the school year if there is a change in their household size, income, employment, or if they become eligible for SNAP or TCA. The application process does not require U.S. citizenship.
For more information, families can visit the Eat Smart Maryland website at https://www.eatsmartmaryland.org or contact the Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs at 410-767-0219.
Free Meals
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,345 | $1,696 | $848 | $783 | $392 |
| 2 | $27,495 | $2,292 | $1,146 | $1,058 | $529 |
| 3 | $34,645 | $2,888 | $1,444 | $1,333 | $667 |
| 4 | $41,795 | $3,483 | $1,742 | $1,608 | $804 |
| 5 | $48,945 | $4,079 | $2,040 | $1,883 | $942 |
| 6 | $56,095 | $4,675 | $2,338 | $2,158 | $1,079 |
| 7 | $63,245 | $5,271 | $2,636 | $2,433 | $1,217 |
| 8 | $70,395 | $5,867 | $2,934 | $2,708 | $1,354 |
| For each additional family member add… | $7,150 | $596 | $298 | $275 | $138 |
Reduced-Price Meals
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 | $1,207 | $1,114 | $557 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,261 | $1,631 | $1,505 | $753 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 | $2,055 | $1,897 | $949 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 | $2,479 | $2,288 | $1,144 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 | $2,903 | $2,679 | $1,340 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,653 | $3,327 | $3,071 | $1,536 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,501 | $3,751 | $3,462 | $1,731 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,349 | $4,175 | $3,853 | $1,927 |
| For each additional family member add… | $10,175 | $848 | $424 | $392 | $196 |
