Transitional protection for free school meals

From the Department for Education

We will protect all pupils that would have lost their entitlement to free school meals as a result of the change in the qualifying period. 

This will operate as follows: 

• Any pupil eligible for free school meals before 1 April 2018 will keep their free school meal eligibility until the revised end date of 31 March 2025.
• Any pupil who becomes eligible during the roll-out of the Universal Credit (from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2025) will keep their eligibility until 31 March 2025.
• Once the revised roll-out of Universal Credit has completed (31 March 2025), any losing pupil will continue to be transitionally protected until the end of their current phase of education eg primary in year 6 or secondary in year 11.
• This applies whether parents receive Universal Credit or legacy benefits.
• Pupils will keep their eligibility even if their circumstances change between 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2025. 

Transitional protection for free school meals - 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2025

The Department for Education stated there would be protection for all pupils eligible for Free School meals whilst the roll out of Universal Credit took place. This means pupils who were eligible on 1 April 2018, or who became eligible since then, continue to receive free meals, even if their household is no longer eligible under the benefits/low-earnings criteria, up until March 2025 and then until the end of their phase of education. Full details are available on the government's website at Free school meals.

What does it mean if my child was eligible for Free School meals prior to 31 March 2025?

If your child was eligible for income related Free School Meals prior to and including 31 March 2025, they will continue to be eligible until they finish their current phase of education. There is no need to reapply!

When an eligible pupil reaches the end of Year 6 their application will automatically be reviewed by the Local Authority in the summer prior to the pupil moving to High School to see if they are still entitled to Free School meals. You will be informed of this decision along with their new school where known. Please note if successful this new claim will not be protected until the end of their High School phase of education, instead will be subject to regular checks by the Local Authority to maintain eligibility. 

If not successful, and your circumstances change that make your child eligible you can always reapply via our Free School meal application form.

When an eligible pupil, that had applied prior to 31 March 2025 reaches the end of Year 11 their Free School meal entitlement will end in the summer as they leave school. 

The table below show's what year your child's transitional protection will end. 

New applications from 1 April 2025

Any new applications for Free School Meals received from 1 April 2025 will not be awarded the transitional protection i.e. not guaranteed eligibility until the end of the current phase of education. Instead, the pupil will be awarded Free School Meal entitlement for a shorter period and entitlement will be regularly reviewed by the Local Authority.