Program Description
The Special Milk Program provides low-cost or free milk to children. Over 6,000 schools, camps, and child care institutions provide half-pints of milk to children, including children in half-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs, who do not have access to USDA's meal programs.
General Program Requirements
Any child at a participating school, camp, or half-day kindergarten or pre-kindergarten program can receive half pints of milk through the Special Milk Program. Children qualify to receive free milk if their families' household incomes meet the current income eligibility guidelines. Children qualify to receive free or low-cost meals while they attend school (high school and under) if their families' household incomes meet the current income eligibility guidelines. Children who participate in certain other programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and children who are migrant, runaway, or homeless are automatically eligible for free meals. You can find out what the maximum income limits for eligibility are at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notices/iegs/IEGs.htm.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
To apply, contact your child's school, camp, or child care institution to find out if it participates in the Special Milk Program. Your state education agency can also give you information about the program. The Food and Nutrition Service provides program and state contact information here:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm
Program Contact Information
