Free School Meal Eligibility September 2026

Free school Meals from September 2026.

From September 2026 the rules for Free school Meal eligibility in England are changing significantly. The £7,400 Universal Credit earnings threshold is being removed, meaning every child in a household receiving UC will qualify for free school meals regardless of how much the family earns. If you are on Universal Credit and currently just above the earnings threshold, your child will be entitled to free school meals from the start of the 2026/27 school year.

My child is in KS1-do I need to apply?

 All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive universal free school meals automatically under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. No application is needed. If you are also on qualifying benefits, it is still worth applying because it triggers Pupil Premium funding for the school even though your child already receives the free meal. This entitles you to discounted trips.

The Grace Period

If your household stops qualifying for benefits, your child does not lose free school meals immediately. A grace period applies until the end of the school phase — primary or secondary — in which they became eligible. This means a child who qualifies in Year 4 and whose family then moves off benefits retains free school meals until the end of Year 6. You will need to reapply once the enter high school. Please be aware if your child is in year 6 now you will need to reapply.

If you think this may change your eligibility from September, please contact me in the office.

I will need your full name, Date of birth and National insurance number to put this into the system.

Amanda.turpie@cookridgeprimaryschool.org.uk