The Maryland State Department of Education announced revised Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals. These guidelines are effective July 1, 2009.

School meals include the School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program with the After-School Care Snack component, and the Special Milk Program.

Meals served must meet nutrition requirements set by the USDA.

The guidelines, set by the federal government and adopted by department, are used to determine whether children are eligible for free or and reduced-price meals for the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

They are revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.

The guidelines are obtained by multiplying the 2009 federal income poverty guidelines by 130 percent and 185 percent, respectively, and rounding the result to the next whole dollar.

Household size and income is the most common way to determine eligibility.

For example, a child from a family of four is eligible for free school meals if the household's current income is below $28,665.

If the family's income is between $28,665 and $40,793, the child is eligible for reduced-price meals.

Meal Benefit Applications will be sent home from school at the beginning of the school year.

U.S. citizenship is not required to be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Parents/guardians should fill out the application completely and send it back to the school.

Schools cannot approve incomplete applications.

For information about Child Nutrition Programs operating in Maryland, go to www.eatsmartmaryland.org.

For information concerning schools or facilities that participate in one of the Child Nutrition Programs, call 410-767-0214.

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