Help with school meals and costs
Expanded free school meals for pupils in Years 7 and 8
Find out if your child is eligible for expanded free school meals, when meals will start and what you need to do.
Who can apply
You can apply if:
- your child is in Year 7 or Year 8, and
- you receive Universal Credit
There is no income limit for this expanded entitlement if you receive Universal Credit.
Do not apply under this expansion if your child is moving into Year 9. Pupils entering Year 9 are not covered by this expansion.
When free school meals will begin
Applications can be made from September 2026.
Free school meals under this expanded scheme will begin on 2 November 2026.
Apply for expanded free school meals
You can still apply after 2 November 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the scheme starts.
If you have already applied
You do not need to apply again if:
- you have already applied for the expanded free school meals scheme
- you have received an email confirming that your child's name has been added to the list
Your information has already been processed.
Paying for meals before the scheme begins
You must continue to top up your child's Cashless Catering account until the scheme starts on 2 November 2026.
Meals bought before 2 November 2026 will not be reimbursed.
Daily meal allowance
Your child will receive a daily allowance of £3.
The allowance:
- refreshes automatically each morning
- does not roll over to the next day
You remain responsible for topping up the account if your child's purchases cost more than £3 on a day.
When you need to apply again
If your child moves from Year 7 into Year 8, you must apply again.
This is so eligibility can be checked again.
School Essentials Grant
This expansion does not change eligibility for the School Essentials Grant.
The School Essentials Grant is still based on the household income threshold of below £616.67 a month per household.
For more information about the national expansion programme, visit: