Universal Free School Meals and Benefit Related Free School Meals

From September 2026, all households receiving Universal Credit will qualify for Free School Meals.

Children can get free school meals, if their parents or guardians get:

• Universal Credit income below £7,400.00.
  • As well as Free School Meals, these pupils will still bring pupil premium and other disadvantage funding to their school now known as Targeted Qualifying Criteria.
• Universal Credit income above £7,400.00.
  • These pupils will be entitled to Free School Meals only, known as Expanded Qualifying Criteria.
• Income Support
• Job Seeker's Allowance (income based)
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• Support payments under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit only)
• Income based Jobseekers Allowance
• Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190, if not receiving Working Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2

All children in these year groups get Free School Meals.

You should still apply if you receive a qualifying benefit. 

Registering for Free School Meals means school gets extra money from the government, known as the Pupil Premium.

For more information on free school meals please tel: 01274 432772

or email: benefits@bradford.gov.uk

Or check/apply online at www.bradford.gov.uk/benefits.

If you would like any assistance in applying then just ask at the school office as they will be more than happy to help.