Nebraska announces new meal eligibility guidelines for school nutrition programs

The Nebraska Department of Education’s Nutrition Services office has released the Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced-price meals under various nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch, Breakfast, Special Milk, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs. Households with participants in these programs can obtain application forms from participating schools, agencies, or day care centers.

Households must complete and return the application to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Information provided on the application is subject to verification by school or program officials at any time during the year. The application requires names of all household members, last four digits of an adult's social security number (if available), total monthly income by source, and a certifying signature from an adult household member.

Children in households receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) automatically qualify for free meals. Similarly, participants at adult care centers receiving benefits like Food Stamps, FDPIR, SSI, or Medicaid are eligible for free meals.

Applications can be submitted throughout the year. Meals are offered without discrimination based on race, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. Non-pricing programs provide meals at no separate charge while pricing programs offer free and reduced-price meals to those who meet eligibility criteria. Concerns about unfair treatment in food services should be addressed to the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington D.C.

Eligibility is determined based on household size and income criteria available online through Nutrition Services' website. A list of participating entities by county is also accessible online along with a graphic file detailing the 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines.