Starting July 1, families in Jefferson, Adams and Weld counties can apply for free and reduced-price school meals for the upcoming 2025–26 school year.
While many schools in the area now offer free meals through Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program, the state still requires all families to complete the household income form.
And it’s not just about meals.
The household income form helps determine how much state and federal funding a school district receives for programs that support low-income students, including Title I services, fee waivers and grant eligibility.
State education officials encourage all families to complete the application, regardless of whether their child attends a school that offers universal free meals.
“When families fill out this application, they help unlock essential funding that supports students and schools across Colorado,” said Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “Strong participation from families makes a real difference.”
Families should apply if they have experienced a recent drop in income, receive SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, have children in foster care or Head Start or face housing instability.
Submitting the form can have a significant impact, even in schools that provide meals to all students.
How to apply
Families can find applications online or through local schools and only need to complete one per household.
The state says the form is confidential and doesn’t ask about immigration or citizenship status. It typically requires household income information, the last four digits of a Social Security number (or a note if none is available) and a signature.
Household size and income determine eligibility. For example, a family of four earning $41,795 or less qualifies for free meals, while those earning up to $59,478 qualify for reduced-price meals.
The Colorado Department of Education, as well as district nutrition services departments, provide a comprehensive eligibility chart.
Beyond meals, qualifying families may also receive discounts on internet, testing fees and other student services. Foster children automatically qualify for free meals and students experiencing homelessness or enrolled in Head Start may also qualify.
Families can submit applications at any time during the school year, especially if a household’s situation changes, such as a job loss or a change in family size. Those who receive public assistance can include a case number to expedite the automatic eligibility process.
State officials note that families who receive a letter from their district stating that a child qualifies may not need to apply unless the notice omits the child’s name.
Eligibility lasts through the school year and extends 30 days into the next.
Officials warn that some families may end up paying full price for meals if their school does not participate in the universal free meals program and if eligibility expires.
The Healthy School Meals for All program currently has funding through December 2025. State officials say voters may be asked to approve additional funding through a ballot measure later this year to continue the program beyond that date.
More information is available through district nutrition services pages or on the Colorado Department of Education’s website.