Free school meals
A free school lunch for your child every school day. From September 2026, every family on Universal Credit qualifies, whatever you earn.
Roughly worth: About £500 a year per child (government estimate)
First step: Ask your child's school or council to sign you up for free school meals.
Who it is for
From September 2026, all children in a household getting Universal Credit qualify, whatever the household earns. Children in families on some other benefits also qualify.
How to get it
Apply through your council or your child's school. It isn't automatic, so it's worth applying even if you think the school already knows.
Run by Your council and school. Last checked 13 October 2026 against the official source.