Income Eligibility » Income Eligibility

Income Eligibility

Although meals are free to all students, the Universal Meals Program still requires the District to process meal applications.  Families are encouraged to apply online at: www.myschoolapps.com. Filling out an application may also qualify families for free or reduced childcare, bus passes, discounts on utilities and internet service, and more.  Paper applications are also available in each school office.  Information collected from meal applications helps determine District additional funding as well. Effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, students meet the eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals if their household income is less than or equal to the following federal guidelines: 

 Reduced-Price Eligibility Scale 

Household Size 

Annual 

Monthly 

Twice per Month 

Every 2 Weeks 

Weekly 

1 

$ 26,973 

$ 2,248 

$ 1,124 

$ 1,038 

$ 519 

2 

$ 36,482 

$ 3,041 

$ 1,521 

$ 1,404 

$ 702 

3 

$ 45,991 

$ 3,833 

$ 1,917 

$ 1,769 

$ 885 

4 

$ 55,500 

$ 4,625 

$ 2,313 

$ 2,135 

$ 1,068 

5 

$ 65,009 

$ 5,418 

$ 2,709 

$ 2,501 

$ 1,251 

6 

$ 74,518 

$ 6,210 

$ 3,105 

$ 2,867 

$ 1,434 

7 

$ 84,027 

$ 7,003 

$ 3,502 

$ 3,232 

$ 1,616 

8 

$ 93,536 

$ 7,795 

$ 3,898 

$ 3,598 

$ 1,799 

For each additional family member, add: 

$ 9,509 

$ 793 

$ 397 

$ 366 

$ 183 

 

Free Eligibility Scale 

Household Size 

Annual 

Monthly 

Twice per Month 

Every 2 Weeks 

Weekly 

1 

$ 18,954 

$ 1,580 

$ 790 

$ 729 

$ 365 

2 

$ 25,636 

$ 2,137 

$ 1,069 

$ 986 

$ 493 

3 

$ 32,318 

$ 2,694 

$ 1,347 

$ 1,243 

$ 622 

4 

$ 39,000 

$ 3,250 

$ 1,625 

$ 1,500 

$ 750 

5 

$ 45,682 

$ 3,807 

$ 1,904 

$ 1,757 

$ 879 

6 

$ 52,364 

$ 4,364 

$ 2,182 

$ 2,014 

$ 1,007 

7 

$ 59,046 

$ 4,921 

$ 2,461 

$ 2,271 

$ 1,136 

8 

$ 65,728 

$ 5,478 

$ 2,739 

$ 2,528 

$ 1,264 

For each additional family member, add: 

$ 6,682 

$ 557 

$ 279 

$ 257 

$ 129 

 

Households do not need to apply if they receive a letter from the District stating that all children in the home automatically qualify for free meals.  This may happen in households receiving benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs, FDPIR, or other special circumstances.  Please contact PUSD Food and Nutrition if any child in the household is not listed on the notification letter.   

If a household is not eligible at this time, but income goes down, household size grows, or a household member starts receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, the family is encouraged to reapply at that time.  Information provided on meal applications is used to determine eligibility and may be verified by school officials.   

For questions about California’s Universal Meals Program or about meals in Poway Unified School District, please visit our website at: pusdnutrition.powayusd.com or call 858-668-2570.