Nutrition and school meals
Your child could get free meals or milk at school. Schools must provide free meals for eligible pupils, paid-for meals where requested and good facilities and supervision, so pupils can eat safely.
Free school meals
For the 2026 - 27 school year, the free school meals income threshold for families who receive Universal Credit rose to £15,900 of annual household earnings (after tax). This is a rise from £15,390 in 2025 - 26 which is the threshold for applications made for the 2025 - 26 school year.
Your child will be entitled to free school meals if they are at school or pre-school (full-time) and you get any of the following:
- Universal Credit and your household's net earnings (after tax) aren't over £15,900 per year
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Your child will also be able to get free school meals if your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to need a special diet.
Children or young people who get Universal Credit themselves, rather than through a parent or guardian, will also be entitled to free school meals.
Apply for free school meals
To get more information about applying for free school lunches, go to:
School meals and other food
As your children spend much of their time in school, they need nutritious food for long-term good health. This includes food that is available in the canteen, vending machines and tuck shops. A healthy, balanced diet also helps your child learn in the classroom and leads to improved educational outcomes.
To read more about nutrition standards in school meals, go to:
Packed lunches
If your child takes a packed lunch from home, they need healthy food and snacks. To read tips on what to put in their lunchbox, go to:
Milk
Free school milk is given all pupils at special schools, to those in other schools where it is necessary for their health and where a pupil does not have access to school meals. Pre-school pupils are also eligible for free milk. Subsidised milk is available to nursery, primary and post-primary pupils.