Free school meals

Changes to free school meals from September 2026

From September 2026 the Department for Education is introducing new benefit criteria which will mean that all children from households in receipt of universal credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal.

In this section

Are you eligible for free school meals?

Apply for free school meals

Length of free school meal entitlement

What happens if my free school meal benefit entitlement stops?

Proof of benefit required for free school meals

Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

Frequently asked questions

Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

Changes to free school meals

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