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To: Public School Sponsors of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
From: Michelle Fleener, Manager, School Nutrition Team
Date: August 28, 2026
Re: Student Success Act Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines (EIG) Guidance
The purpose of this memorandum is to communicate guidance for the Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines (EIG) under the Student Success Act (SSA) for the school year (SY) 2026-2027.
The Oregon EIG is funded through the Oregon Student Success Act of 2019. The purpose is to increase access to and participation in school meal programs. Public schools or districts that are participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program and are not operating Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Private schools are not eligible to participate in Oregon EIG.
Oregon EIG supports students who do not qualify for free and reduced meal benefits using federal income guidelines. It provides meal benefits to households with incomes above 185% but not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Oregon EIG implementation method through applications:
- Sponsors may use the Prototype Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals with Oregon EIG or online household application provide by ODE or eligible software providers. The Oregon EIG Application Processing Guidance provides step-by-step guide for processing household applications to determine Oregon EIG eligibility.
- The 2026-2027 Federal & Oregon Expanded Income Guidelines (EIG) includes the federal guidelines and the Oregon Expanded Income guidelines for approving applications. This guideline is applicable beginning of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, for benefits effective throughout school year 2027.
- As with any meal application, the sponsor must make an eligibility determination and notify the household of its eligibility status. After determining whether a student has a paid meal status, the sponsor would send a letter to the household that the student is federally denied. If the student qualifies for Oregon EIG, then an Oregon EIG approval letter must be sent as well. The letter templates are found on the School Nutrition Program Meal Access and Reimbursement webpage.
Resources:
If you have any questions pertaining to this memo, please contact your assigned child nutrition specialist.
Sincerely,
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Michelle Fleener, School Nutrition Manager
Child Nutrition Programs
Office of Child Nutrition |
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Voice: 503-947-5600 | Fax: 503-378-5156 | www.oregon.gov/ode |
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