Hawaii Expands Free School Meal Eligibility, Benefiting Thousands of Students
Hawaii has expanded its free school meal program to include more public school students, following the enactment of Act 139. This legislation, passed at the end of the previous legislative session, raises the income eligibility threshold to 300% of the federal poverty level. As a result, a family of four earning up to approximately $113,000 annually can now qualify for free school meals. The Hawaii Department of Education estimates that an additional 12,000 students will benefit from this change, adding to the 73,000 already eligible. Previously, the income cap for a family of four was just under $50,000. The expansion aims to assist families who fall into the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) category, who often earn too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to comfortably afford basic needs. The new eligibility criteria apply to public schools under the Hawaii Department of Education, excluding charter schools. Schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision program... 
