From September 2026, more than 500,000 extra children in England will be eligible for free school meals under new government rules. The change is expected to save struggling families up to £500 a year.
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The update means that all children in households claiming Universal Credit will now qualify for a free lunch at school, even if their parents earn more than the current income threshold.
What’s changing?
At the moment, every child in England gets free school meals until the end of Year 2. After that, families only qualify if their household earns less than £7,400 a year after benefits.
From September 2026, that limit will no longer apply to families on Universal Credit. If you receive Universal Credit, your child will automatically qualify for free meals regardless of income.
This is a significant change for many families, especially with rising bills and food prices. It means one less expense to worry about each day.
Who will be eligible?
From September 2026, your child will qualify for free school meals if you receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Pension Credit (guarantee element)
- Child Tax Credit (if you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and earn less than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying
If your child already gets free school meals under the current rules, they will continue to receive them until the end of the 2025/26 school year. After that, the new eligibility criteria will apply.
How to apply for free school meals
If your child qualifies, you will need to make a claim and provide proof. In most cases, this is done online via your local council’s website. You may be asked to provide:
- Your Universal Credit award statement
- A Tax Credit Award Notice
- A letter from Jobcentre Plus, the Home Office, or HMRC
Once approved, your school will be notified automatically, and your child will begin receiving free lunches.
Why this matters
This change is a lifeline for many families who are struggling to cover everyday costs. According to government figures, it could save parents up to £500 a year per child, money that can be spent on other essentials.
Skint Dad says:
With food prices still climbing, this update will come as a relief for thousands of families. If you think you might be eligible, keep an eye out for updates from your council and get your application in early.
Key dates to know
- Now: Current rules remain in place
- September 2026: New eligibility criteria come into effect
- Before then: Schools and councils will release more information on how to apply
- HMRC tax scams: how to spot fake rebate offers and stay safe - 2 September 2025
- How to get 30 hours of free childcare and save up to £7,500 a year - 2 September 2025
- Free school meals expanded: half a million more kids to qualify from 2026 - 2 September 2025
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