A family of four earning up to $42,900 a year qualifies for free breakfast and lunch at Clear Creek ISD schools this fall, and applications are open through the district's online portal ahead of the Tuesday, Aug. 11 start.

With CCISD's first day arriving Aug. 11 for sixth-graders, ninth-graders and pre-K/kindergarten half-day students, and Aug. 12 for all other grades, the district's Child Nutrition Services Department is encouraging families to check their eligibility and apply before the year begins. The thresholds apply to families across Webster, Seabrook, Nassau Bay, Clear Lake Shores and the Harris County portion of Friendswood served by CCISD.

What the income limits look like

The federal guidelines set the free-meal ceiling at 130% of the federal poverty level and reduced-price meals at 185%. For 2026-27, the free-meal income ceilings by household size are:

  • 1 person: $20,748 (free)
  • 2 people: $28,132 (free)
  • 3 people: $35,516 (free)
  • 4 people: $42,900 (free) / $61,050 (reduced-price)
  • 5 people: $50,284 (free)
  • 6 people: $57,668 (free)
  • Each additional member adds $7,384 to the free-meal threshold

Those numbers represent a 2.6% increase over last year's thresholds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Reduced-price thresholds for household sizes other than four were not listed in the district's announcement.

A family of four qualifies for reduced-price meals at up to $61,050 annually, or about $5,088 per month.

How to apply

Families can submit applications at any time during the school year through SchoolCafé, according to a district bulletin published by KGTX 7. Rebecca Coronado, CCISD's Free & Reduced Meal Benefits Specialist, reviews each application and determines eligibility.

Households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, TANF or FDPIR benefits can qualify through a simplified process by providing their Eligibility Determination Group number, without full income documentation.

All other households must provide names of every member, the last four digits of the signing adult's Social Security number, income information and a signature. The district noted applications may be verified as required by law.

One important detail: prior-year approvals do not carry over. Even families approved for free or reduced-price meals in 2025-26 must submit a new application for this school year.

Foster children and mid-year changes

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a state agency or court qualify for free meals regardless of household income.

The district encourages families to update their application if income drops or household size grows during the year, since either change could shift a family into eligibility.

If you disagree with a decision

Parents who believe an eligibility determination is wrong can request an informal review by calling 281-284-0712 or file a formal appeal with the district's Child Nutrition Hearing Official.

CCISD's 2026-27 school year begins Tuesday, Aug. 11 for sixth-graders, ninth-graders and pre-K/kindergarten half-day students, with all remaining grades starting Wednesday, Aug. 12.