Council rolls out free school meals expansion for Year 7 and 8 pupils

Denbighshire County Council is rolling out an expansion of free school meals, with eligible Year 7 and 8 pupils able to receive the support from 2 November 2026.

This change initiated by the Welsh Government, means Year 7 and 8 pupils living in a household receiving Universal Credit will be able to have free school meals from the November start date.

Parents and carers are encouraged to apply before 2 November 2026 so their entitlement can be assessed, and support is in place when the expansion begins.

Those who have already applied do not need to apply again.

Parents and carers can claim free school meals for their child if they receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit, where the child is in primary school and yearly net earnings are no more than £7,400
• Universal Credit, where the child is in Year 7 or 8 at secondary school, from 2

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education and Children, Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “We are delighted to be rolling out this important free school meals expansion in Denbighshire.  Free school meals can make a real difference to families, helping to ease pressure on household budgets while ensuring children and young people have access to a nutritious meal during the school day.

“I strongly encourage every eligible parent and carer to take up this support and apply before 2 November. If you have already applied, there is no need to do so again.”

Parents and carers whose child attends a school in Denbighshire can apply online for free school meals here