Free lunches at school for children in families getting certain benefits, plus universal free meals for infants in England.
Many people who are entitled to support never claim it. Check who qualifies, how much you could get and how to make your claim through the official channel.
The rules depend on where you live in the UK and on your household’s circumstances.
What Free School Meals (England) offers
- Universal infant meals: All infants in England get free meals automatically.
- Expanded eligibility: From 2026 to 2027, all children in Universal Credit households qualify.
- Extra school funding: Registering can bring extra pupil premium funding to the school.
- Holiday support: Eligible children may also get holiday activities and food programme places.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | Children whose parents get Universal Credit (any income from the 2026 to 2027 academic year), income-related ESA, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or asylum support |
| Infants | All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at government-funded schools in England |
| How much | A free school lunch each school day |
| How to claim | Apply through your local council |
| Where | England (different schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) |
Key points
Universal infant meals: All infants in England get free meals automatically.
Expanded eligibility: From 2026 to 2027, all children in Universal Credit households qualify.
Extra school funding: Registering can bring extra pupil premium funding to the school.
About Local council / Department for Education
Free School Meals (England) is run by Local council / Department for Education. Claims are made free of charge through the official government channel.
We explain the rules independently and then send you to the official page to claim. We are not a government website.
Amounts and rules can change. The decision on your claim is made by Local council / Department for Education.