Urgent Action Required: Free School Meals is changing – check your eligibility!

From Monday 1 June 2026, the government is changing the free school meals system. More families than ever before will now qualify for free school lunches.  Because the rules are changing, all existing transitional protections are ending. This means that every family must be re-checked before the new school year starts. If you do not complete this check, your child’s free school meals may stop in September.

From Monday 1 June 2026, children in households in receipt of universal credit, with annual household earnings above £7,400 will be entitled to ‘expanded’ free school meals. If your child was previously refused free school meals, you can apply again from Monday 1 June 2026.  Applications are accepted from Monday 1 June 2026 and children who qualify under this expanded eligibility will receive free school meals only, from Tuesday 1 September 2026.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Please click the secure link below to complete an online application.

Free school meals | Leicester City Council

What you will need:

• Your national insurance number (or national asylum support service number)

• Your date of birth

• Your legal name

Those families living in the County should use this link

Free School Meals | Leicestershire County Council