Families in Penrith and across Westmorland and Furness are being urged to check whether they could qualify for free school meals as a major change to the national eligibility rules comes into force from September as the new school year gets underway.
From the start of the 2026/27 school year, all children living in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of household earnings.
The change removes the previous £7,400 annual earnings threshold for families receiving Universal Credit.
That means working families who receive Universal Credit as a top-up but previously earned too much to qualify could now be entitled to free school meals.
The Government says the expansion will give more than half a million additional children across England access to free school meals.
For families already feeling the squeeze from food and household bills, the change could make a noticeable difference during term time.
But Westmorland and Furness Council has warned that eligibility will not be awarded automatically.
Parents and carers receiving Universal Credit need to apply so their eligibility can be checked.
The council says applications can be completed online and families will receive an immediate response confirming whether they are eligible. Existing recipients do not need to reapply every year, although an application is required where a child is starting school for the first time.
Councillor Janet Battye, Westmorland and Furness Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said the authority wanted to make sure families did not miss out.
She said the expansion means "many more families, including those who are working and receiving Universal Credit, may now qualify".
She has urged anyone who believes they may be eligible to check and apply.
Under the previous system, receiving Universal Credit alone was not enough to qualify for free school meals. Families generally had to have annual earnings of no more than £7,400.
That limit has now been removed for free school meal eligibility.
The change is therefore particularly significant for households where parents are working but still receive Universal Credit because their income is not enough to cover their household costs.
The Government announced the expansion as part of its plans to tackle child poverty and remove barriers to opportunity.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said when the expansion was announced that it would give more than half a million additional children access to free school meals, while helping parents with the cost of feeding their children.
The council says registering for free school meals can also help schools access additional funding and support for disadvantaged pupils..
Westmorland and Furness Council has confirmed that, because of changes to national funding, its school holiday WONDE supermarket voucher scheme for children receiving income-related free school meals is ending.
The council says children receiving free school meals may still be eligible for holiday meal vouchers where funding is available, with schools arranging those vouchers.
The Holiday Activities and Food programme also continues to provide eligible children with free activities and meals during school holidays.
The expansion of free school meals does not, however, mean that everyone receiving the newly expanded entitlement will automatically qualify for school clothing vouchers. Those vouchers remain subject to separate targeted eligibility rules.
Families can apply for free school meals through the council's online service.
Anyone who has difficulty completing the application can contact the council's Customer Services team or visit one of its Family Hubs for help.
The council's Free School Meals and Clothing Grants team can also be contacted by email at FSM.ClothingGrants@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or by telephone on 0300 373 3300.
The council is particularly encouraging families who receive Universal Credit but previously earned too much to qualify to check again before the new school year.
With the £7,400 earnings limit gone, a family that was previously told it did not qualify could now be entitled to free school meals.
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