Georgia Department of Education releases income guidelines for free/reduced meals for students

The Georgia Department of Education released income guidelines for free and reduced price meals for the 2017-18 school year.

The Georgia Department of Education has announced its guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for the 2017-18 school year.

The free and reduced-price meal option is available for families who are financially unable to consistently pay a full price for lunch for their children. Application forms have been sent to homes with a letter to parents and guardians detailing the requirements to qualify for the programs. To apply, households should fill out the applications and return them to the school.

For a family of two, children will qualify for a free meal if the family income falls below $21,112 and reduced-price if the income falls between $30,044 and $21,113. This is a combined income for the entire family.

For a family of three, children will qualify for a free meal if the family income falls below $26,546 and reduced-price if the income falls between $37,777 and $26,547.

For each additional family member, add $5,434 per year to the income level for free meals and $7,733 to the income level for reduced price meals.

The reduced price breakfast costs no more than 30 cents and the reduced price lunch costs no more than 40 cents.