Easterseals NH announced today its policy for determining eligibility of participants who may receive free or reduced-price meals served under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
During Program Year 2026-2027, children or adults enrolled in a USDA participating child care center, family day care home, or adult day care center may be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits if the household’s income qualifies. Foster children, Head Start participants, and children who are members of households receiving SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR assistance are automatically eligible for free meal benefits.
USDA FEDERAL INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
(Effective from July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027)
An application is not required for free meal benefits for Assistance Program participants (ex. SNAP). Children in the household of Assistance Program participants are eligible for free meal benefits, and this free benefit is extended to all children in the household.
When known to the institution, households will be notified of any child’s eligibility for free meals if the individual child is considered under “Other Source Categorically Eligible” where the child is categorized or defined by law as foster, homeless, migrant, runaway or enrolled in an eligible Head Start program. That designated child is free, and the benefit is not extended to others.
A household may apply for benefits at any time during the program year. Children of parents or guardians who become unemployed or experience a financial hardship mid-year may become eligible for free and reduced-price meal benefits at any point during the program year. Only one application is required for all children in the household attending participating centers. Only the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the household’s primary wage earner or another adult household member (or an indication of “none”) is needed when submitting the application. Information submitted on the application may be subject to verification.
Categorical eligibility for free meal benefits is extended to all children in a household when the application lists an Assistance Program’s case number for any household member. Households with any member who is currently certified to receive Assistance Program benefits may submit an application with abbreviated information as indicated on the application and instructions.
A foster child is categorically eligible for free meals and may be included as a member of the foster family if the foster family chooses to also apply for benefits for other children. Including children in foster care as household members may help other children in the household qualify for benefits. If non-foster children in a foster family are not eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits, an eligible foster child will still receive free benefits.
An application for free and reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless complete eligibility information is submitted, as indicated on the application and in the instructions. A household may appeal the application decision, using the hearing procedure described in the centers free and reduced-price policy statement.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement | Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with federal civil rights law and 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, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office 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:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: [email protected]
About Easterseals NH
Established in 1936, Easterseals NH provides exceptional services to ensure that all people of all abilities and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. Throughout New Hampshire, the organization serves the diverse needs of more than 14,000 children, adults, seniors, and Veterans with a wide range of abilities and needs each year. The organization does this through comprehensive, outcome-driven services and programs covering early intervention, autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health, family and physical disability services, substance use treatment, and care coordination. eastersealsnh.org
For more information, visit eastersealsnh.org or follow us @EastersealsNH on Facebook.
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