Free school meals eligibility has been expanded in England. Find out everything you need to know about the free school meals update here.
Disclaimer: This content was true at the time of writing on 5 June 2025, but may now have changed.
Free school meals eligibility changes
The Government has announced that it will be expanding the eligibility for free school meals in England. Any child whose parents receive Universal Credit, including above the current income cap of £7,400, will qualify for free school meals.
Before this recent announcement, a household’s post tax non benefit income had to be less than £7,400 per year for children to be eligible for free school meals, meaning that thousands of children were missing out.
See if you’re eligible for Universal Credit
Use the free benefits calculator to check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit and other benefits.
When will the changes to free school meals happen?
The changes to free school meals will come into effect from September 2026. The Government has said that if you’re on Universal Credit, you’ll ‘save up to £495 per year on free school lunches’.
For many families living in a deficit budget, meaning their income isn’t enough to cover essential living costs, this saving can have a big impact on their finances and being able to effectively budget their money.
How to apply for free school meals
Although your child might be eligible for free school meals from September 2026, you won’t be automatically enrolled. You’ll need your National Insurance Number to hand and will still have to apply to receive this benefit, via your local council, which you can do below.
Check if you’re eligible for more support
The expansion of free school meals is a vital step in easing the pressure on families, and it shows that positive change is possible. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed by financial worries, remember that there’s expert, free help available at CAP. Understanding all the support you’re entitled to can make a real difference.
Check if you’re eligible for extra benefits
Use our quick and easy benefits calculator to check if you’re missing out on financial support you’re entitled to.
Check if you’re eligible for free grants
Use the Turn2us Grants Search to see if you qualify for extra money that you don’t have to pay back.
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Impact of the expansion of free school meals
The Government has said in a press release: ‘The expansion will lift 100,000 children across England completely out of poverty. Giving children access to a nutritious meal during the school day also leads to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes – meaning they get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.’
Data from polling commissioned by CAP and conducted by Opinium in December 2024, showed that:
35%
of parents/carers with children under the age of five have debt they are struggling to repay.
31%
of parents/carers of children under 18 have a deficit budget, in contrast to 17% of non-parents who have a deficit budget.
No child should go to bed hungry. No child should grow up in the cold. Parents and carers are doing all they can, but income is not high enough to cover the high costs they face.
Juliette Flach, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at CAP
At CAP, we welcome the free school meals eligibility changes in England. It marks a significant development in the provision of free school meals, and a key policy change that CAP has actively advocated for. This is more than just a policy update, but a vital step forward in the fight against poverty. We also recognise that more still needs to be done to address systematic issues, not just in England, but across the whole of the UK.
