California's Universal Meals Program: Free for All
Since the 2022-2023 school year, California has provided free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 public school students through the California Universal Meals Program. This initiative aims to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals without charge, eliminating the need for an income limit to receive a school lunch.
The Role of Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs)
Despite California's universal meals, federal eligibility guidelines based on household income and size are still used by schools. This is crucial for securing federal reimbursement for meals served and determining eligibility for other programs like Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) or reduced fees.
Federal guidelines categorize eligibility into three levels based on the federal poverty level (FPL):
- Free Meals: Household income at or below 130% of the FPL.
- Reduced-Price Meals: Household income between 130% and 185% of the FPL.
- Paid Meals: Household income above 185% of the FPL. These students still receive free meals in California due to the Universal Meals Program.
2025-2026 Federal Income Eligibility Scales for California
The California Department of Education (CDE) provides annual Income Eligibility Scales (IEGs). For the 2025-2026 school year, the income limits for free and reduced-price meal eligibility are based on household size. The annual income limit for free meals for a household of 4 is $41,795, and for reduced-price meals, it is $59,478. A full table of these scales is available on the {Link: CDE website https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/rs/scales2526.asp}.
How Eligibility is Determined
Federal eligibility can be established in two ways:
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Direct Certification (DC): Students are automatically certified for free meals if their household participates in specific assistance programs, such as CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR. This also includes students who are homeless, migrant, runaway, or in foster care. Schools identify eligible students by matching enrollment lists with agency records.
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Meal Application: Families not directly certified can complete a meal application providing household size and income information. Schools use the federal IEGs to determine free or reduced-price eligibility. Submitting an application is recommended even with universal meals, as it supports school funding and can qualify families for other benefits.
Comparison: California Universal Meals vs. Federal Eligibility
| Feature | California Universal Meals Program | Federal Free/Reduced-Price Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets a meal? | Every K-12 public school student in California | Students from households meeting specific federal income guidelines |
| Cost to Student | Free for all | Free or reduced-price depending on income |
| Application Required | No, for the meal itself | Yes, unless directly certified |
| Purpose | To provide universal, healthy meals to all students | To secure federal reimbursement, qualify families for other benefits, and help schools meet funding requirements |
| Stigma Impact | Reduced, as all students are treated the same | Can be associated with stigma due to the application process |
| Eligibility Method | State law | Federal income guidelines and categorical eligibility |
Benefits of Filing a Meal Application
Even though meals are free for all, submitting a meal application is beneficial because it:
- Helps schools receive federal and state funding.
- May qualify families for reduced fees for educational programs and tests.
- Can lead to eligibility for P-EBT benefits.
For more information, refer to the {Link: California Department of Education website https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/eligmaterials.asp} on school nutrition programs.
Conclusion
While California's Universal Meals Program provides free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 public school students regardless of income, federal eligibility guidelines remain important. These guidelines determine federal funding for schools and qualify families for additional benefits. Families who may meet the federal income criteria are encouraged to complete a confidential meal application or confirm their direct certification status to support their school and access potential benefits.
