New limits for school lunch eligibility

Eligibility guidelines for free and reduced priced-lunches in the 2017-18 school year have increased slightly.

Under the new guidelines, a child from a family of two qualifies for free lunch, breakfast and milk if the annual family income is $21,112 or less. That same child would be eligible for reduced-price lunch and breakfast if the annual family income is $30,044 or less.

In the 2016-17 school year, those numbers were $20,826 and $29,637, respectively.

For a family of four, the new maximum annual income is $31,980 for a free lunch, breakfast and milk and $45,510 for a reducedprice lunch and breakfast.

In 2016-17, the family of four incomes were $31,590 for a free lunch and $44,955 for reduced.

The eligibility numbers are the same nationwide.

Students who qualify for the free lunch benefit receive a free breakfast, too. Students who qualify for the reduced-price meal pay 25 cents for breakfast and lunch.

All children in a household that receives aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for free meal benefits.

Parents and guardians can apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time, not just before the school year starts.