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Sign in or register for an accountThe Department for Education stated there would be protection for all pupils eligible for income related 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.
It is anticipated this protection will end for all pupils ahead of the 2026/2027 school year, not at the end of the phase of education which was the previous guidance. This means Year 6 pupils for the 2024/2025 academic year will still be protected as they transition to secondary school (2025/2026 academic year). Full details are available on the government's website at Free school meals.
Please note this protection is not awarded to Free School Meal claims for asylum seekers or those with no recourse to public funds.
When an eligible pupil reaches the end of Year 11, their Free School meal entitlement will end in the summer as they leave school.
All Free School Meals claims will be reviewed annually each summer ahead of the new academic year.
These reviews will start for all existing Free School Meal claims during summer 2026 when it is the intention of the Department for Education that all protections will be discontinued. Further guidance is available at GOV.UK (Adobe PDF format).