Free school lunches offer substantial nutrition for substantial savings to families who qualify. The family's net income is required to be less than 130 percent of the poverty guidelines for a child to receive free lunches -- lower than it is for reduced-price lunches. As of 2011, 130 percent means in most states that earners are making less than $19,123 annually in a two-person household, up to $38,987 for a six-person household. To take advantage of free lunch benefits, the Department of Food and Nutrition Service directs interested parties to submit a completed application form to individual school districts.
Based on income alone, children are eligible for reduced price meals if their parents make less than 185 percent of the poverty level, which translates to $27,214 for a two-person household up to $55,482 for a six-person household. Savings over time can be substantial. In the Portland, Oregon, school districts, a daily high school lunch that would ordinarily cost $2.80 is reduced to 40 cents.
Any parents who are receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- also called SNAP and known in the past as food stamps -- are eligible for their children to take advantage of free and reduced school lunches. Even those who are working may benefit from the SNAP program, although only those making a gross monthly income up to 130 percent over the poverty level qualify for benefits. The amount varies in some states, but most states consider the monthly eligible income to be $1,579 for a two-person household up to $3,200 for a six-member household.
A parent's enrollment in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, leads to direct eligibility for free and reduced price lunches for her children. The program itself provides direct financial help, an amount based on family size and income. The cash is meant to help pay for basic necessities like clothing, housing and transportation. According to the TANF Bureau, adults are limited to 60 months of assistance during their entire adult lifetime, and some states limit financial assistance for adults to 36 months at a time. Children are generally entitled to financial assistance for a longer period of time if applicable, but the aid is designated first and foremost to families in need.