Free school meal eligibility changes this September

Parents and carers across Wolverhampton are being reminded that national changes to free school meal eligibility will come into effect from September.

Since 2018, all existing free school meal claims have been protected under a Government scheme called Transitional Protection. This meant that around 20,000 children in Wolverhampton have continued to receive free meals, even if their family’s financial circumstances changed.

At the end of this school year, this protection will end and a new national system will be introduced, under which there will be three types of free school meal entitlement.

The first is Targeted Free School Meals, which is similar to the current system. Families receiving Universal Credit may qualify if their take‑home pay is below the Government’s threshold, and some families with No Recourse to Public Funds may also be eligible. Children in this group will continue to receive extra support such as Holiday Activities and Food (HAF), free school milk where provided, and free board and lodging on school residential trips. Eligibility will be re-checked once a year.

A second category, Expanded Free School Meals, will be introduced for the first time. This will give free school meals during term time to all children in families receiving Universal Credit, regardless of income. However, children in this group won’t automatically qualify for HAF or other additional support unless they meet other criteria. Eligibility will be checked more often, and children who meet the requirements for Targeted Free School Meals will be moved into that category.

The third category, Universal Infant Free School Meals, remains unchanged. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to receive free meals regardless of family circumstances.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “The criteria for free school meals are changing in September, and it’s important that parents and carers understand how this might affect them. “Please make sure your child’s school has your up‑to‑date details so they can check your child’s eligibility. Most schools already have this information, so you shouldn’t need to send anything in unless your school asks you to.”