Thousands more children in Devon County Council and Torbay Council areas will now receive free school meals automatically without the need for families to apply. This initiative aims to support approximately 1,300 pupils who were previously eligible for free school meals but were not receiving them.
Additionally, Cornwall Council plans to implement automatic enrollment for free school meals starting in September 2026, benefiting an additional 1,800 children. Eligibility for free school meals varies based on the UK region, the child’s age, and the household’s benefits claims. In England, children in reception, year 1, and year 2 automatically qualify for free school meals.
Currently, children become eligible for free school meals if their families claim specific benefits, including Universal Credit, and earn less than £7,400 annually after tax, excluding benefits. However, starting from the 2026/27 academic year, all children from families claiming Universal Credit will receive free school meals regardless of household income.
The Department for Education will release detailed guidelines before September 2026. In Scotland, primary one to primary five students receive free school meals, while in Wales, all primary school pupils are entitled to them. In Northern Ireland, parents must apply for free school meals if they are claiming benefits, as it is not an automatic provision. Children attending private schools typically do not receive free school meals.
If a child does not automatically receive free school meals based on the mentioned criteria, parents may still be eligible to apply if they claim certain benefits until the child turns 18. Moreover, eligibility for free school meals can also lead to additional support, such as grants for school uniform and trips.
