Maryland Updates Income Limits For Free, Reduced-Price Meals

BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland families may qualify for free or reduced-price meals and snacks at participating child care programs under updated income guidelines announced by the Maryland State Department of Education.

The guidelines apply to the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federally funded program that provides meals and snacks through participating child care centers, family child care homes and adult day care facilities.

The new income limits took effect July 1 and will remain in place through June 30, 2027. Eligibility is based on household size and income.

Some participants automatically qualify for free meals regardless of the income guidelines. That includes foster children, children receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Cash Assistance benefits, and children enrolled in Head Start.

Adults attending participating day care programs may also qualify automatically if they are members of households receiving SNAP or if they receive Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid.

Families who do not automatically qualify can submit a meal benefit application. The information provided is used to determine whether participants qualify for free or reduced-price meals and how much participating programs are reimbursed.

Who Qualifies For Free Meals?

Households earning at or below the following annual amounts may qualify for free meals:

• 1 person: $20,748
• 2 people: $28,132
• 3 people: $35,516
• 4 people: $42,900
• 5 people: $50,284
• 6 people: $57,668
• 7 people: $65,052
• 8 people: $72,436

For households with more than eight people, add $7,384 for each additional person.

Who Qualifies For Reduced-Price Meals?

Households earning at or below the following annual amounts may qualify for reduced-price meals:

• 1 person: $29,526
• 2 people: $40,034
• 3 people: $50,542
• 4 people: $61,050
• 5 people: $71,558
• 6 people: $82,066
• 7 people: $92,574
• 8 people: $103,082

For households with more than eight people, add $10,508 for each additional person.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered in Maryland by the state education department. Participating programs provide qualifying meals and snacks at no charge.