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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set the income eligibility guidelines for students and adults to participate in free and reduced-price meal programs through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the 2021-2022 school year. The CACFP is federally funded through the USDA and is administered by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Division of School and Community Nutrition.

The program provides for nutritious meals and snacks to qualifying participants attending childcare centers, daycare homes, Head Start programs, adult day cares, homeless shelters and afterschool programs. The program also works to establish positive eating habits at the earliest stages of development; reduces future health care and education costs by encouraging proper early development; and provides training and support of local center personnel.

Income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals are used to determine each participant’s eligibility.

Income Guidelines for Free/Reduced Price Meals Effective July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022

Family Size Free Meals Monthly Income Free Meals Yearly Income Reduced-Price Meals Monthly Income Reduced-Price Meals Yearly Income
1$1,396$16,744$1,986$23,828
2$1,888$22,646$2,686$32,227
3$2,379$28,548$3,386$40,626
4$2,871$34,450$4,086$49,025
5$3,363$40,352$4,786$57,424
6$3,855$46,254$5,486$65,823
7$4,347$52,156$6,186$74,222
8$4,839$58,058$6,886$82,621
For each additional family member add:$492$5,902$700$8,399

Children who are eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. Adult participants who are members of SNAP, FDPIR households, who receive Social Security Income (SSI), or are Medicaid participants, also are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits.

Centers participating in the CACFP agree not to charge a separate fee for meals above the cost of tuition. Independent institutions and sponsoring organizations must enter into agreements with the KDE to assume responsibility for CACFP operations. KDE assists institutions and sponsors by providing consultation, training, resources and materials needed to make the program successful.

For more information about the CACFP, please contact KDE, Division of School and Community Nutrition, at (502) 564-5625 or visit the CACFP homepage.  

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Compliant Online Form on the USDA website, (AD-3027) or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C., 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.