Starting from September 2026, children in full-time education in England will qualify for free school meals if their parents or carers receive any amount of Universal Credit, regardless of household income. This change removes the previous income cap of £7,400 a year, which had limited eligibility to those earning less than that amount in addition to claiming Universal Credit.
Expanded eligibility and financial impact
The Department for Education announced that over half a million additional pupils will become eligible under the new criteria. The change means that all households receiving Universal Credit, above the current £7,400 income cap, will qualify for this support. The free meals are worth around £500 a year per child.
MoneySavingExpert.com, the consumer website founded by Martin Lewis, has highlighted the change and urged parents to check if they now qualify. The team asked parents to verify their eligibility for the expanded scheme in a recent social media post.
Savings and benefits for families
The Department for Education stated: "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."
Beyond the financial benefits, the programme ensures children receive nutritious meals during school hours, supporting their learning, concentration, physical health, development, and overall wellbeing. The government is also revising the School Food Standards to provide schools with the latest nutrition guidance.
How to apply
From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, your child will qualify if you receive Universal Credit, regardless of income. The Government said: "We expect the majority of schools will allow parents to apply before the start of the school year 2026, by providing their National Insurance Number to check their eligibility. 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."
More information is available on the MoneySavingExpert website, and families can check eligibility and apply through their local authority's website.
