Free School Meals

Upcoming Changes to Free School Meal Entitlements

Children can get free school meals, if their parents or guardians get:

▪ Universal Credit - your net earned income must be less than £7,400.

▪ Income Support.

▪ Job Seeker's Allowance (income based).

▪ Employment and Support Allowance.

▪ Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

▪ Support payments under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

From September 2026, all children can get free school meals, if:

▪ they attend an eligible school;

▪ and their household gets Universal Credit.

There will be two types of free school meals based on benefits:

▪ Targeted - This is the same as now. It applies to pupils from households on Universal

Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less. As well as free meals, these pupils will still

bring pupil premium and other disadvantage funding to their school.

▪ Expanded - This is a new category. It is for pupils whose households get Universal

Credit, but earn more than £7,400 a year. These pupils will be entitled to free school

meals only.

When Will This Happen?

The new entitlement will begin at the start of the school year in September 2026. Schools nationwide are preparing now to accommodate the increased number of children who will receive meals. 

What This Means for Your Family:

• No income cap: If your household receives Universal Credit, your child will be eligible.
• Financial savings: Families could save up to £500 per child per year on school lunches.
• Support for wellbeing: Access to a nutritious daily meal has been shown to improve children’s health, concentration, and learning outcomes.

Why Is This Change Being Made?

This expansion aims to:

• Reduce child poverty — estimates suggest around 100,000 children will be lifted out of poverty.
• Ease living costs for families during a period of rising expenses.
• Ensure fair access to healthy school meals for all children on Universal Credit. 

How to apply:

Complete the online application form via the Rochdale Council website.

https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/benefits-money/free-school-meals

If you are unsure whether you are entitled, please apply, you will be notified either way, by the

Rochdale Benefits team.

Universal Free School Meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 receive Universal Free School Meals, however, if you

are in receipt of any benefits, please apply for the Free School Meal entitlement as School may

then receive the additional Pupil Premium Funding.

Should you have any queries surrounding Free School Meals, please contact the school office via email on office@sbs.rochdale.sch.uk