EBT SNAP Benefits

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals in Georgia

If you are a current SNAP EBT food stamps or TANF cash assistance recipient, your child can automatically qualify for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals in Georgia.

Currently, there are eight different Child Nutrition Programs offered to low-income Georgia students.

In this article, we will cover the eight different Child Nutrition Programs for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals in Georgia including eligibility and how to apply.

We will also cover:

  • What is the National School Meals Program?
  • List of Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Programs in Georgia
  • Free and Reduced Price Meals Program Eligibility
  • What you need to Apply for the Program
  • How to Apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
  • Free and Reduced-Price School Meals FAQs

To learn more about the child nutrition assistance available to Georgia students, continue reading below.

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Program in Georgia

About the National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally-funded program that provides low-income students nutritional, low-cost or free meals each school day.

The child nutrition program operates in public and nonprofit private schools, as well as residential child care institutions throughout the state of Georgia.

Free & Reduced-Price School Meal Programs in Georgia [List]

Georgia currently offers eight different child nutrition programs to low-income households with students attending school in Georgia.

These programs include the:

  • After School Snack Program
  • Community Eligibility Program (CEP)
  • Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP)
  • Special Milk Program
  • School Breakfast Program
  • School Lunch Program
  • Provision 2 Program
  • Seamless Summer Option (SSO)

To learn more about each of the Georgia School Nutrition Programs, continue reading below.

Afterschool Snack Program

Georgia schools that offer student after-school activities or enrichment programs at the end of the regular school day are eligible for the Afterschool Snack Program. This program is provided through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

The goal of the program is to help children fully engage in their afterschool programs by filling the hunger gap many children face in the late afternoon and evening. The snack gives children a nutritional boost for additional learning opportunities.

Who is eligible for Afterschool Snack?

Children participating in an approved afterschool program age 18 and under are eligible to receive snacks through the program.

What does Afterschool Snack include?

The snacks served through the NSLP Afterschool Snack Service must include two servings of the following options:

  • Milk
  • Meat or Meat Substitute
  • Vegetables, Fruit, or Pure Vegetable/Fruit Juice
  • Whole-grain or Enriched bread, pasta or noodle products

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP)

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is provided to elementary schools that have a high percentage of students enrolled in the Free and Reduced-Price Meals Program. The federal program provides students with a snack either between breakfast and lunch or lunch and school dismissal.

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are served to students so they can expand the variety of new fresh food items they experience. The goal of the program is to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among students that positively impact their health.

Special Milk Program

The Special Milk Program provides milk to children attending schools or childcare centers that do not participate in other Federal Meal Programs. The program provides

Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program may also participate in the Special Milk Program. This is to provide milk to children in half-day Pre-K and Kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the School Meal Program.

What type of milk is offered?

Milk options for the Special Milk Program include Fat-free (unflavored or flavored), Low-fat (1% unflavored or flavored), and Fat-free or Low-fat (lactose-reduced or lactose-free). All milk options contain Vitamins A and D for nutrition.

Seamless Summer Option (SSO)

The Seamless Summer Option allows districts to provide meals to students during the summer and other vacation periods. It provides free summer meals to children under 18 and students over 18 with a state-defined mental or physical disability.

How do I find a Summer Meals Program near me?

There are three ways to find an SSO program near you. Those options include:

  1. Text “FOODGA” to 877877 from your phone beginning June 1 to be provided with the closest SSO locations to you.
  2. Visit GeorgiaFoodBankAssociation.org for a map of the closet SSO sites.
  3. Call the phone number 1-866-348-6479 to find SSO locations near you.

National School Lunch Program

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Program Eligibility

To find out if your child qualifies for P-EBT benefits in Georgia, you must meet the eligibility guidelines for the National Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Program.

To be eligible for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a resident of Georgia
  • Meet the Income Eligibility Guidelines (see chart below)
Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced Price School Meals in Georgia (2020-2021)
Household Size
Monthly Income Limit
Free School Meals Reduced-Price School Meals
1 $1,383 $1,968
2 $1,868 $2,658
3 $2,353 $3,349
4 $2,839 $4,040
5 $3,324 $4,730
6 $3,809 $5,421
7 $4,295 $6,112
8 $4,780 $6,802
9+ $486 for each additional member $691 for each additional member

**If you are currently receiving Georgia SNAP food stamps or TANF cash assistance benefits, your child automatically qualifies for the free and reduced-price school meals program.

What you need to Apply for the Georgia Free and Reduced-Price Meals Program

If your household is currently receiving SNAP food assistance and/or TANF cash assistance benefits, your application process quick and easy. If you are receiving benefits and want to apply for the National School Meals Program in Georgia, you must provide your:

For SNAP and/or TANF Households only–

  • Child’s/Children’s First and Last Name
  • SNAP or TANF Case Number
  • Signature of Adult Household Member

If your household is NOT currently receiving SNAP food assistance and/or TANF cash assistance benefits, you are required to provide more information. To apply for the National School Meals Program in Georgia, you must provide:

  • Child’s/Children’s First and Last Name
  • First and Last Names of all Household Members
  • Amount of Income received by each Household Member
  • Frequency of how often the Income is received
  • Last 4-digits of an Adult Household Member’s Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Signature of Adult Household Member with SSN

Georgia Free and Reduced Price Meals Application

How to Apply for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals in Georgia

Georgia schools send school meal applications home with every child at the beginning of each school year. However, you may apply for Free and Reduced-Price school meals at any time during the school year.

You can do so by submitting an application directly to your school or district. You can get an application by contacting your child’s school.

In addition, you can download a copy of the Georgia Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Program here:

Georgia Free and Reduced Price School Meals Program Application

Free and Reduced-Price Meals FAQs

For help with the Georgia Free and Reduced-Price Meals Program, check out the answers to some of the frequently asked questions below.

How much do Reduced-Price School Meals cost?

Children approved for the Reduced-Price School Meals Program will receive school meals at a discounted rate of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.

What happens if my child transfers to another school?

If your child transfers from one school to another under the jurisdiction, his or her eligibility for free or reduced price meals will be transferred and honored at their new school.

Is my child eligible for P-EBT benefits in Georgia?

If your child enrolled in the National Lunch Program and was attending school that was closed due to the impact of COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive Georgia P-EBT benefits. To learn more about P-EBT, including how to apply and how much you will receive, check out our Georgia P-EBT Guide here.

Georgia National Lunch Program

We hope this article about the Free and Reduced-Price School Meals in Georgia was helpful to you! If you have any additional questions about Georgia Child Nutrition Programs, or if you are having trouble applying, please let us know in the comments section below.

We are here to help! Stay healthy and safe!

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