Free School Meals
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, Free School Meals eligibility is being expanded to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings. Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:
- a claim for this support has been made
- their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority
Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:
- are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit
- meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds
Key Changes
Any child from a household receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals, regardless of income level, removing the previous £7,400 earnings cap.
Families could save up to £495 per child per year on school lunches, providing significant reliefespecially for households with multiple children.
While eligibility is automatic for Universal Credit recipients, families must still apply using their National Insurance Number to receive the benefit.
Universal free school meals
If your child is in year R, year 1 or year 2 they are entitled to universal free school meals - all children in these year groups can get a free meal at school each day.
However, even if your child receives universal free school meals, it's important to register for free school meals if you're eligible. If you receive certain benefits, registering for free school meals allows your child’s school to receive additional funding to support their learning. This extra money can make a real difference, so we recommend you check your eligibility and apply online.
Eligibility and apply
Your eligibility will be checked and your application processed straight away. If your application is successful, the school will be notified, and your child should start receiving their free school meal within 24 hours.