Will students get free school meals in Pennsylvania this year?

The 2026-27 school year is nearly here; is your child set up to receive free school meals this year?

As families prepare for a new school year, school meal programs remain an important resource for many households.

According to No Kid Hungry, more than 19 million students nationwide who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals missed out on school breakfast on an average school day during the 2023-24 school year.

According to the most recent Central Pennsylvania Food Bank analysis of Feeding America data, children were about 25% more likely than adults to experience food insecurity.

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank's analysis shows children in Pennsylvania were more likely than adults to experience food insecurity, underscoring the role school

meal programs can play in helping families access nutritious food.

Here's what parents need to know and do as the new school year gets underway.

Does my child qualify for free school meals in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania students may qualify for free school meals based on household income, participation in certain assistance programs or attendance at a school participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision.

According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, households receiving SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits need only include their case number on an application, while households enrolled in WIC or Medicaid may also qualify based on income.

Here is the income threshold for free and discounted school meals for the 2026-27 school year:

How can families apply for free school meals in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania families can apply for free or reduced-price school meals by completing a Household Meal Benefit Application through their school district.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, households receiving SNAP or TANF benefits need only provide their case number, while families participating in WIC or Medicaid may also qualify based on income.

Additional information about eligibility and applications is available through Pennsylvania's COMPASS system and local school districts.

Can students be denied a school meal because of unpaid lunch debt?

Families with questions about meal charges, account balances or eligibility for free or reduced-price meal programs should contact their school district directly.

Students in Pennsylvania may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income, participation in certain assistance programs or attendance at a school participating in federal programs.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, households receiving SNAP or TANF benefits need only provide their case number when applying, while families participating in WIC or Medicaid may also qualify based on income.

Parents who believe their child may qualify are encouraged to complete a Household Meal Benefit Application through their school district.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending, breaking and service-related topics across the Mid-Atlantic region for the USA Today Network.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Will students get free school meals in Pennsylvania this year?