DWP confirms new free school meals rule from September 1 with eligibility rechecks

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year07:16, 19 Aug 2026A new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rule for all families on Universal Credit with kids in school has been confirmed. From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit attending these schools will be entitled to receive a free meal.‌The Labour Party government said: “We have made this a legal requirement through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and intend to lay additional regulations extending this duty to maintained nursery schools.‌“Going forward, there will be 2 categories of benefits-based free school meals.” These are Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of U