NJ Expands Income Eligibility for Free and Reduced-price School Meals
A handy tool kit will help organizations, community members and advocates spread the word to families.
The NJ Office of the Food Security Advocates for assistance asked for help spreading the word about the new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy which expands the income eligibility for the free and reduced-price school meals. This legislation is expected to make an additional 60,000 children eligible for the program in New Jersey. In addition, this year’s application rate will also determine eligibility for the 2025 Summer EBT program. Since COVID, application rates have plummeted across the state which correlates to an increase in school meal debt held by families. In an effort to reduce this trend (and hopefully reverse it) they have created a tool kit that organizations, community members, and advocates can use to help spread the word about the change in income eligibility requirements for the program. The tool kit can be found here: https://hungerfreenj.org/schoolmealstoolkit/. Also, there will be virtual trainings available for organizations to learn to assist families in completing school meal applications.