Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program for 2026-27

Posted on August 27, 2026

As part of the program, several APS schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows eligible schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without requiring families to submit a meal application.

Community Eligibility Provision Schools

For the 2026-27 school year, the following APS schools will participate in CEP:

Abingdon, Barcroft, Barrett, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Dr. Charles R. Drew, Randolph, Thomas Jefferson, Kenmore and Wakefield.

All students attending these schools are eligible to receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost each school day. Families with students attending a CEP school do not need to submit a meal application or pay a fee for their student to receive these meals.

Families at participating schools will receive additional information about CEP, including contact information for questions.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals at Other APS Schools

At APS schools that do not participate in CEP, students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. Applications are available online.

Students may also be eligible for free meals based on participation in certain assistance programs or other qualifying circumstances. This includes students in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as well as students who are identified as homeless, migrant or runaway. Foster students who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court are also eligible for free meals regardless of household income.

Students in households participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may also qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income.

2026-27 Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines

Household Size	Maximum Household Income for Free Meals	Household Income for Reduced-Price Meals
1	$20,748	$20,748.01-$29,526
2	$28,132	$28,132.01-$40,034
3	$35,516	$35,516.01-$50,542
4	$42,900	$42,900.01-$61,050
5	$50,284	$50,284.01-$71,558
6	$57,668	$57,668.01-$82,066
7	$65,052	$65,052.01-$92,574
8	$72,436	$72,436.01-$103,082
Each additional household member	Add $7,384	Add $10,508

How to Apply

Families who need to apply for free or reduced-price meals only need to submit one application per household, regardless of the number of students in the household.

Applications are available at APS schools, through the Food and Nutrition Services office and on the APS website. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year.

Information provided on the application is used to determine eligibility and may be verified by school or program officials.

Households receiving SNAP or TANF benefits may not be required to complete an application. APS may determine eligibility for free meals using documentation obtained directly from the Virginia Department of Social Services and will notify eligible households in writing.

If a household receives SNAP or TANF but is not notified of automatic eligibility within the first 10 days of the school year, the household should apply.

For households that are not automatically eligible, the application must include the names of household members, household income information and the last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member signing the application. If the adult household member does not have a Social Security number, that should be indicated on the application. An adult household member must sign the application.

Families may apply at any point during the school year. A change in circumstances, including a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, unemployment or newly qualifying for SNAP or TANF, may affect a student’s eligibility.

Eligibility Determinations and Appeals

The APS Food Service Director will review applications and determine eligibility. Applications must be complete before they can be approved.

Families who have questions about an eligibility decision may first discuss the decision informally with the determining official. Families wishing to formally appeal a decision may request a hearing verbally or in writing by contacting:

Andy Hawkins
Business Officer, Business and Management Services
2110 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA

A copy of the APS free and reduced-price meal policy is available for review at each school and through the central Food and Nutrition Services office.

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