Maryland families and adult day care participants may qualify for free or reduced-price meals at child care centers, adult day care facilities, and family child care homes under updated income guidelines now in effect.
What’s Happening: The Maryland State Department of Education announced new income eligibility limits for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federally funded meal program administered by the state. The updated guidelines took effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2027.
What’s Important: The program covers nutritious meals and snacks at no cost to qualifying participants. Reimbursement to facilities is based on income information households submit through a program application.
Who qualifies automatically: Some participants qualify for free meals without an income check:
- Foster children.
- Children who receive food stamps or Temporary Cash Assistance.
- Children enrolled in Head Start.
- Adult day care participants who receive food stamps, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid.
By the Numbers — Free meals income limits: A family of four qualifies for free meals with a yearly income up to $42,900, or $3,575 per month. A family of two qualifies up to $28,132 per year, or $2,345 per month. For each additional family member beyond eight, add $7,384 per year.
By the Numbers — Reduced-price meals income limits: A family of four qualifies for reduced-price meals with a yearly income up to $61,050, or $5,088 per month. A family of two qualifies up to $40,034 per year, or $3,337 per month. For each additional family member beyond eight, add $10,508 per year.
Full income tables by household size:
Free meals:
- 1 person: $20,748/year | $1,729/month | $399/week.
- 2 people: $28,132/year | $2,345/month | $541/week.
- 3 people: $35,516/year | $2,960/month | $683/week.
- 4 people: $42,900/year | $3,575/month | $825/week.
- 5 people: $50,284/year | $4,191/month | $967/week.
- 6 people: $57,668/year | $4,806/month | $1,109/week.
- 7 people: $65,052/year | $5,421/month | $1,251/week.
- 8 people: $72,436/year | $6,037/month | $1,393/week.
Reduced-price meals:
- 1 person: $29,526/year | $2,461/month | $568/week.
- 2 people: $40,034/year | $3,337/month | $770/week.
- 3 people: $50,542/year | $4,212/month | $972/week.
- 4 people: $61,050/year | $5,088/month | $1,175/week.
- 5 people: $71,558/year | $5,964/month | $1,377/week.
- 6 people: $82,066/year | $6,839/month | $1,579/week.
- 7 people: $92,574/year | $7,715/month | $1,781/week.
- 8 people: $103,082/year | $8,591/month | $1,983/week.
How to apply: Households apply through a program meal benefit application at their child care center, adult day care facility, or family child care home. For a list of participating facilities or more information, contact the state education department’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs at (410) 767-0219. The department’s main number is (410) 767-0100. Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers should use Relay. More information is available at MarylandPublicSchools.org.