Transitional protection
Protection for existing claimants
The following protections are in place:
- Since 1 April 2018, all pupils who were already receiving free school meals have continued to get them while Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies even if your income changes
- These protections will remain until the end of the 2025/26 school year
- From the 2026/27 school year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible. At that point, transitional protections will end, and eligibility will be based on the new criteria
Find out more on Gov.UK:
Free school meals: guidance for schools and local authorities
Benefits team
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