Free school meals provide vital nutrition for children during the school day. From September 2026 many more families became eligible. Here's what parents need to know.
Who will benefit from the expanded free school meals?
Over half a million additional pupils became eligible for Free School Meals under the new eligibility criteria. The change means that all households receiving Universal Credit, including those above the current £7,400 income cap, will qualify for this support.
This expansion builds upon the existing provision which already covers:
- 2.2 million disadvantaged children
- 90,000 low-income students in Further Education
- Around 1.2 million infants under the Universal Infant Free School Meals programme
When will these changes take effect?
The new eligibility came in to effect in September 2026. Families receiving Universal Credit will now be able to access free school meals.
How will this help families financially?
This expansion will provide significant financial relief for families. If your household receives Universal Credit, you could save up to £495 per year per child on school lunches. For families with multiple children, these savings can make a substantial difference to household budgets.
How will children benefit?
Beyond the financial benefits, this programme ensures children receive nutritious meals during school hours, which supports their learning and concentration in the classroom, physical health and development and overall wellbeing. The government is also acting quickly to revise the School Food Standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance.
How will this tackle child poverty?
The expansion is expected to lift approximately 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament. This is part of other policies to help with child poverty such as:
- Free breakfast clubs in primary schools
- Expanded government-funded childcare
- Caps on branded school uniform items
- Support through the Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions
How do I apply for free school meals?
Parents who think they may be eligible should contact their school, which can check their eligibility and help register their child for free school meals.
It's important to note that while eligibility will be automatically granted to all Universal Credit recipients, families will still need to actually apply to receive the benefit.