Federal Food Programs - Getting Assistance

The federal government makes food and nutrition assistance available to individuals, families, and children who meet certain income guidelines. See below for information on, including how to apply to, the following programs: Food Stamp; Women, Infants and Children (WIC); School Lunch; School Breakfast; Summer Food Service; Child and Adult Care Food; Meals in Shelters; and Afterschool Snack and Supper programs.

Food Stamp Program
Food stamps provide monthly assistance to low-income families through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card. The card can be used at participating supermarkets and farmers markets.

>> Click here for more information.

or contact the Income Maintenance Administration's Customer Service Hotline at (202) 724-5506.

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Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and access to health care to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and infants and children. The monthly WIC food package is a combination of foods chosen to improve nutrition for pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants.

>> Click here to apply.

or contact:
WIC State Agency Office
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Suite 409
Washington, DC 20020
telephone: (202) 645-5663 or 1-800-345-1942

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School Lunch Program
For students & parents:
Children from families meeting certain income guidelines receive lunches either free or at a reduced price. Eligibility determinations are made by an official at each school and are based on family size and income information provided on an application submitted by a parent or guardian. Income eligibility guidelines are based on federal poverty guidelines and are updated annually. Children from families that do not meet the income criteria for free or reduced price lunches pay full price, though their meals are still subsidized to some extent. To enroll in the School Lunch Program, contact your child's school. A child who qualifies for the School Lunch Program also qualifies for the School Breakfast Program.

For schools & organizations:
Any public school, charter or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, can participate in the National School Lunch Program. Public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may also participate in the School Lunch Program (e.g., orphanages, homes for mentally and physically challenged children, temporary shelters, group homes, and juvenile halls). Participants of the School Lunch Program are also eligible to participate in the School Breakfast Program.

>> Click here for more information

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School Breakfast Program
For students & parents:
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts to children each school day. Free or reduced-price meals are available to children who meet certain income standards. The eligiblity guidelines are similar to the School Lunch Program. Eligibility determinations are made by an official at each school and are based on family size and income information provided on an application submitted by a parent or guardian. Income eligibility guidelines are based on federal poverty guidelines and are updated annually. To enroll in the School Breakfast Program, contact your child's school.

For schools & organizations:
The guidelines for participation are similar to the School Lunch Program. Any public school, charter or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, can participate in the National School Breakfast Program. Public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may also participate in the School Breakfast Program (e.g., orphanages, homes for mentally and physically challenged children, temporary shelters, group homes, and juvenile halls).

>> Click here for more information.

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Summer Food Service Program
For students & parents:
When school is out in the summertime, children 18 and under can get free, nutritious meals and snacks through the Summer Food Service Program. SFSP sites are located at schools and organizations throughout the District. Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities over age 18 who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

For schools & organizations:
Institutions including public or private nonprofit schools; units of local, municipal, county, tribal, or state government; private nonprofit organizations; public or private nonprofit camps and public or private nonprofit universities or colleges can be SFSP sponsors. Sponsors receive reimbursement to serve meals that are free to children and meet federal dietary guidelines.

>> Click here for more information.

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Child and Adult Care Food Program
For children and adults:
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides meals and snacks in child care centers, adult day care facilities, day care homes for children under age 12 and certain disabled adults. Children who meet certain income guidelines can receive free or reduced meals. Eligibility guidelines are set by the individual provider or organization. To apply, ask your child and adult day care facility or day care home.

For Providers and Organizations:
For information on hosting CACFP and receiving federal dollars to feed low-income children and adults:

>> Click here for more information.