child lunchCHICAGO – With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of families depend on federally funded nutrition programs, leading State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to educate child care centers about the upcoming Child and Adult Care Food Program and the resources it will help provide.

“This pandemic has proven to be a time of struggle for many. I am happy this program will continue, so our children never have to go hungry,” Van Pelt said.

In addition to child care centers, Head Start programs, emergency shelters and day care home providers will be eligible for the funding, which will offer healthy meals to children.

People in households who participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are also eligible to receive free meal benefits. Families that don’t receive TANF or SNAP benefits eligibility will be determined by the USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines.

A member of the household should contact their child care center or day care home provider to learn about benefits of the CACFP if their household’s income falls within or below the listed guidelines. They may be required to complete an application and provide income, TANF or SNAP information.

Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs at approved Head Start facilities, and foster care children who are legal responsibilities of the state or court also receive free meal assistance. To find out if they participate in CACFP, parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider.

 

 

 

 

Income Eligibility Guidelines

Effective from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021

 

Free Meals                                                                                                 

 

 

Reduced-Price Meals                                                                                                 

130% Federal Poverty Guideline

185% Federal Poverty Guideline

Household Size

Annual

Monthly

Twice Per Month

Every Two Weeks

Weekly

Household Size

Annual

Monthly

Twice Per Month

Every Two Weeks

Weekly

  

1

16,588

1,383

692

638

319

1

23,606

1,968

984

908

454

  

2

22,412

1,868

934

862

431

2

31,894

2,658

1,329

     1,227

614

  

3

28,236

2,353

1,177

1,086

543

3

40,182

3,349

1,675

1,546

773

  

4

34,060

2,839

1,420

1,310

655

4

48,470

4,040

2,020

1,865

933

  

5

39,884

3,324

1,662

1,534

767

5

56,758

4,730

2,365

2,183

1,092

  

6

45,708

3,809

1,905

1,758

879

6

65,046

5,421

2,711

2,502

     1,251

  

7

51,532

4,295

2,148

1,982

991

7

73,334

6,112

3,056

2,821

1,411

  

8

57,356

4,780

2,390

2,206

     1,103

8

81,622

6,802

3,401

3,140

1,570

  

For each additional family member, add

     5,824

486

243

224

112

For each additional family member, add

8,288

691

346

319

160

  

 

How to apply: