Houston ISD Cancels Free Lunch Programs at 33 Schools Amid New Eligibility Rules
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has canceled automatic free lunch programs at 33 of its schools due to new eligibility requirements, primarily driven by a decrease in the number of students receiving SNAP benefits.
Houston, TX, August 6, 2026 —
Houston Independent School District (HISD) has recently canceled automatic free lunch programs at 33 of its schools. This decision comes in response to new eligibility requirements that have impacted the district’s ability to provide these services universally.
The primary driver behind the change in eligibility is a noted decrease in the number of students within the district who are currently receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. This reduction in SNAP recipients directly affects the criteria for qualifying for free school lunch programs under the new guidelines.
The specific details regarding the new eligibility requirements were not provided. Consequently, the exact criteria that determine which students are now eligible for free or reduced-price lunches remain unclear. The number of schools affected by this cancellation is 33.
HISD has not released a detailed timeline for when these changes went into effect, nor has it specified the duration of the cancellation for these programs. Further information regarding the implementation of the new eligibility standards and potential alternative solutions for affected students is also pending.
Story summarized from the original created by Lileana Pearson on abc13.com, see more information here.
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