The Department for Education has published guidance setting out new income thresholds, which families with no recourse to public funds must meet in order to qualify for free school meals in England.
Following the recent expansion of free school meals to all families claiming Universal Credit, the government states that income thresholds for families with no recourse to public funds have been increased ‘in line with the average income of Universal Credit households that are eligible for expanded free school meals’.
Families with no recourse to public funds can now access free school meals if their annual net household income is less than:
- £29,400 for families with 1 child (outside of London)
- £37,300 for families with 2 or more children (outside of London)
- £35,000 for families with 1 child (in London)
- £43,100 for families with 2 or more children (in London)
Additionally, the income thresholds for the original ‘targeted’ free school meals criteria have been increased. When a family's annual net household income is less than the targeted threshold, they will be able to access some additional entitlements and schools can obtain pupil premium funding. See our information about free school meal eligibility for the updated thresholds and how families can apply.
Schools have until 2 November 2026 to include children who qualify for free school meals in their census returns to obtain government funding. However, families with no recourse to public funds can still apply for, and be provided with, free school meals after that date.
Expanding entitlement to free school meals is a welcome development that will help address financial hardship experienced by families who are restricted from accessing benefits by their immigration status. However, this change is being implemented whilst the government continues to apply the no recourse to public funds condition and proposes to extend settlement periods – a policy that is likely to increase child poverty by preventing many families from accessing benefits for at least 10 years.
Councils will need to consider how they can ensure that all families who are entitled to free school meals are aware that they can apply and access these, through communications and effective signposting across services in contact with families who have no recourse to public funds.