The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals. Additional information below, per MCPS:
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits. Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for the current school year. Beginning school year 2022-2023, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged that cost – meaning that reduced-price students will eat for free!
Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available) Click here for an English video tutorial. Click here for a Spanish video tutorial.
Federal eligibility guidelines change each school year; therefore a new application must be submitted each school year. All students in the family should be listed on one household application. A notice will be mailed home to each student if you are approved for meal benefits or do not qualify for meal benefits. Please keep this important document for your records and use throughout the school year. Families may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year.
Households that are unable to apply online should contact their school or the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 240-740-7400.
Please click here to apply online.
Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals 2022-23
Online Applications are available now for Free and Reduced Meals for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have any questions, please call 240-740-7400.
Meal benefit eligibility from last school year will remain current only through the first 30 scheduled school days OR until a 2022-2023 application is processed.
- FOR FASTER PROCESSING APPLY ONLINE. Households who apply online should not submit a paper application.
- Please complete paper applications in black ink (not pencil).
- If you ARE applying for free or reduced-price meals, first, last name, and middle initial are required.
- Please provide birth date, grade, and school to expedite processing.
- Use ONE application for ALL students in the household—including Pre-K, kindergarten, and foster—even if they attend different schools.
- If any child you are applying for is homeless, migrant, or runaway, please call your child’s school or contact the MCPS Homeless liaison at 240-740-4511.
Montgomery County Public Schools serve breakfast and lunch every school day. If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below, your child may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
The following students may be eligible for free or reduced-priced meals:
- Students in households participating in Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
The following students qualify for free meals:
- Foster children
- Students certified as homeless or runaway
- Students enrolled in the Migrant Education program
- Students enrolled in the Head Start program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid.
Income Guidelines 2022-23
| Household Size | Annually | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25,142 | $2,096 | $484 |
| 2 | $33,874 | $2,823 | $652 |
| 3 | $42,606 | $3,551 | $820 |
| 4 | $51,338 | $4,279 | $988 |
| 5 | $60,070 | $5,006 | $1,156 |
| 6 | $68,802 | $5,734 | $1,324 |
| 7 | $77,534 | $6,462 | $1,492 |
| 8 | $86,266 | $7,189 | $1,659 |
| for each additional family member, add | +$8,732 | +$728 |