What happens if my free school meal benefit entitlement stops?

Universal infant free school meals

Your child’s entitlement to universal free school meals will continue until they enter Year 3 of school.

Government free school meals

Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst universal credit is rolled out. This applies even if their earnings rise above the new threshold during that time.

In addition, any pupil gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 (who qualified under the benefits/low-earnings criteria) will be protected against losing free school meals until March 2025.

After March 2025, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of universal credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (ie primary or secondary).

Please notify us or your child’s school if your support under the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 or the guarantee element of Pension Credit has ended or if you no longer qualify for free school meals under the criteria for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).