Adjusting the income eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals to reflect geographic differences in income would have effects that are difficult to predict but could lead to increased program costs, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Thursday.

GAO did not make any recommendations for changes.

At present income eligibility and school reimbursement rates for school meals are federally set and do not consider geographic differences in the cost of living except for Alaska and Hawaii.

▪ Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Requesters — School Meal Programs: Implications of Adjusting Income Eligibility Thresholds and Reimbursement by Geographic Differences
▪ — Highlights page