Free School Meals

All children should have access to a nutritious meal during the school day. Families on low incomes can get support, and the rules have just got better: from September 2026, every child in England whose household receives Universal Credit qualifies for a free school meal – whatever the household earns.

Free school meals are available to pupils who receive, or whose parents receive, one or more of the following:

• Universal Credit (from September 2026 there is no earnings limit; before that, net earnings had to be under £7,400 a year)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax
• Credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Families with no recourse to public funds may also qualify, subject to income limits – ask your council.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 brought in specific changes to who is entitled to free school meals.

1. Targeted free school meals: Universal Credit households earning £7,400 or less a year. These pupils also bring pupil premium funding to their school and can access the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
2. Expanded free school meals: all other Universal Credit households are entitled to free school meals only.
3. Transitional protections have ended: if your child previously received free school meals, you may need to re-apply. Eligibility is now rechecked every year.
4. Free meals for the youngest children
   All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at state-funded schools automatically receive a free school meal, whatever the family’s income. If you also receive benefits, still apply for benefits-based free school meals as it brings extra pupil premium funding to your child’s school.

Check eligibility and apply through your local council – start at www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals  You will usually need your National Insurance number.

If you are having trouble applying or need assistance, contact your child’s school who can support you with the application to make sure your child receives their meals.

Respond to the annual eligibility recheck so your child does not miss out.