Scotland lifts UC limit to £995 for free meals from April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the rules for free school meals in Scotland change. The Universal Credit earnings cap used to decide eligibility moves from £850 to £995 a month, and pupils whose parents or carers receive State Pension Credit will now qualify. These updates are set out in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (Modification) Regulations 2026, made on 21 January and laid on 23 January ahead of commencement on 1 April.

Why it matters: under section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, councils must provide a free school lunch to pupils who meet the criteria in law. Raising the threshold protects families whose wages have risen but who still rely on support, while recognising older carers through Pension Credit. This is a legal entitlement, not a discretionary scheme. (legislation.gov.uk)

How the £995 test works: it looks at “earned income” in your most recent Universal Credit assessment period. If you’re a single claimant, you qualify when your earned income in that month is £995 or less. If you’re part of a couple, you qualify when your combined earned income in that month is £995 or less. Earned income means wages and similar pay; it does not include your Universal Credit award. The law uses the DWP assessment period for this check. (legislation.gov.uk)

A quick sense-check using everyday examples helps. A single parent who earned £980 in their last Universal Credit month would meet the new test and their child should get free lunches. A couple who earned £1,004 combined in that month would not meet the test. Because Universal Credit is assessed monthly, eligibility can switch on again if earnings dip in a later month-families should reapply when that happens.

This update sits alongside existing provision. All children in Primary 1 to 5 still receive free lunches regardless of income, and Primary 6–7 pupils can also receive them if the household gets Scottish Child Payment. For most secondary pupils, eligibility remains benefits‑related using the new £995 Universal Credit limit or the other qualifying benefits listed by the Scottish Government. (mygov.scot)

For families where grandparents or older carers receive State Pension Credit, the change removes the need to rely on local discretion. From April, Pension Credit becomes a qualifying route in law, making the entitlement clear for schools and parents. If you support a kinship care arrangement, this addition is designed to reduce paperwork and delay at the start of term.

What you should do now if you work in a school: update admissions packs, websites and letters home with the new £995 figure and the Pension Credit route. Brief office staff on how the Universal Credit assessment period works so they can advise parents to use the most recent month. Build in a reminder for families whose income fluctuates to reapply if their next assessment month sits at or below £995. For pupils newly covered through Pension Credit, encourage carers to share proof early so the entitlement appears on day one.

For parents and carers, the application route stays the same: you apply through your local council. Councils will ask for evidence of your Universal Credit earnings for the last assessment month, or a Pension Credit award notice for the new route. Start with the council’s free school meals page and apply as soon as you think you qualify-don’t wait for a new term to begin. (mygov.scot)

Don’t miss the extras tied to registration. Many councils use the free school meals register to pay holiday food support and other help. Even if your child is in P1–P5 (where lunches are universal), apply on the benefits route if you meet the criteria so your family is counted for holiday payments. Guidance from mygov.scot confirms how holiday support links to the benefits‑based entitlement. (mygov.scot)

Key context for classrooms: annual tweaks to thresholds have been made in recent years to keep pace with wage changes, and councils must provide a free lunch for pupils who fit the legal list. Keep conversations factual-refer families to the exact monthly figure (£995 from 1 April 2026) and remind them that the check is month‑by‑month. If in doubt, advise them to apply and let the council assess the claim against the latest rules. (legislation.gov.uk)