A recent Kansas study found that the number of students receiving free school lunches more than doubled the expected count in the 2023-2024 school year, and said many should not have qualified.
The Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit (LPA) estimated up to 3,200 students were eligible for free student lunches. However, this was significantly less than the number who qualified but were likely ineligible, according to the LPA’s study, which released on Monday.
According to the Kansas State Department of Education, students are eligible for free school lunches if they live in households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
