Information: Free school meals guidance for 2026 to 2027
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In June 2025, we announced an expansion of free school meals (FSM) to all households that receive Universal Credit. This will take effect from the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year and applies to all settings currently required to provide FSM to eligible pupils.
Transitional protections for free meals will finish at the end of the current school year. From the start of the next school year, pupils must meet the FSM eligibility criteria to continue receiving provision. Schools and local authorities should check FSM entitlement annually ahead of the October school census.
We have published updated guidance for schools and local authorities setting out how the new FSM entitlement should be administered.
We have also published details on the free school meals expansion grant. This will provide funding to support additional costs arising from the expansion for mainstream schools and high needs settings in the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
You can read the further education (FE) free meals guidance for the 2026 to 2027 academic year to understand changes, including funding rules and eligibility criteria for the scheme for the new academic year.
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all students from households that receive Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free meal. Post-16 providers will receive extra funding through free meals in FE to support meal provision for additional eligible students.
Transitional protections will end and households must meet the new eligibility criteria to continue receiving free meals.