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Free & Reduced Meal Application

Apply Now: Free and Reduced Meal Application

Your child(ren) may be eligible to receive free lunch meals, based on your income or state benefits received. Breakfast is free for all students regardless of income.

In order to be eligible for free lunch meals, families will need to complete an application unless they participate in a qualified benefits program (e.g., SNAP, TANF, or certain Medical Assistance). 

To APPLY: Complete the application

Read instructions to complete online application video instructions to complete online application 

 

Eligibility Information 

In the letter below, please review the eligibility information for your household. 

If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Jones by email or phone, 215-619-8000 ext 1110.

The National School Lunch and Breakfast Program (NSLBP) is a federally assisted service that helps schools provide meals in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools, as well as residential child care institutions. In previous years, NSLBP provided over 31 million children with nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals each day. The NSLBP follows the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) guidelines for nutrition and dietary specifications for each meal provided to students.

SUN Bucks

This year Pennsylvania will launch SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program, a new grocery benefits program that provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food while school is out. Benefits can be used at local participating retailers to purchase groceries.

Many children will get these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.  

Note: For the first year of this program, paper applications for children that are not automatically eligible will become available in July 2024. Benefits will be issued to all eligible children by October 2024.  

Eligibility

Children who applied and were approved for free/reduced-price school meals or who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. 

Most children who get Medicaid are also automatically eligible for SUN Bucks because their income level is under the income level for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program. Children who get Medicaid through the Children with Special Needs category (PH 95) and children who are in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will have to apply for SUN Bucks. 

Children are automatically eligible for the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program and do not need to apply to receive a benefit if:

  • The household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; OR
  • The household received SNAP or TANF between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024  and the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program but was between ages 6-18 between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024; OR
  • The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; OR
  • The child received Medicaid with qualifying income for the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 and the child is not enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program but is between ages 6-18 between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024; OR
  • The child is in Head Start, is homeless, in foster care, or is a runaway and the child is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program; OR
  • The child applied for and was determined eligible for free or reduced-priced meals through the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program.
  • Applications received on or before August 31, 2024 will be considered for a SUN Bucks benefit this year. 
  • Applications received after August 31, 2024 will be considered for a SUN Bucks benefits during the 2025 application period next summer. 

Family Resources - SUN Bucks

Click here to check your child’s eligibility for SUN Bucks

Department of Human Services SUN Bucks Information