The Welsh Government’s 6 November 2026 update says more than half of Welsh councils are already providing expanded free school meals for Year 7 and 8 pupils from households receiving Universal Credit. All councils are due to serve eligible pupils by January 2027. The expansion removes the household earnings limit for these year groups. Read the national rollout update.

If your move involves a new secondary school, check its arrangements before changing the family food budget. The expansion began rolling out from September; the latest announcement does not mean every council started serving meals on 6 November.

Contact the council responsible for the school

Welsh Government guidance says the council where the child goes to school assesses eligibility and provides the meal. That can be different from the council where your new home is located. Check the school’s council if your child crosses a boundary to attend school. Eligibility and application guidance.

If your household receives Universal Credit and your child is in Year 7 or 8, register through the relevant council. Do not rule out applying because earnings previously exceeded the £7,400 annual threshold. Ask when meals can start and whether an existing registration needs updating after the move.

Local start dates differ

Two current council examples show why the school’s location matters:

  • Pembrokeshire: the expanded provision began on 2 November 2026. The council’s 13 October notice says applications remain open after the start date and families who have already applied do not need to reapply. The local catering allowance is up to £3 per school day; unused allowance does not roll over and families cover spending above that amount. Pembrokeshire’s instructions.
  • Carmarthenshire: applications are open, with expanded meals available from January 2027. Existing claimants must report changes including address or school. Families whose circumstances have not changed do not need to apply again. Carmarthenshire’s application and change-of-circumstances guidance.

These are local examples, not dates or allowance amounts for every Welsh council. Receiving meals under the expansion does not automatically qualify a family for the School Essentials Grant; check its separate conditions.

Add the handover to your moving plan

Ask the new school how meals will work on your child’s first day, whether a catering account is needed and who will confirm the start date. Keep lunch arrangements in place until you have that confirmation. Save the council’s response alongside school admission paperwork in your family moving planner. Our moving home with children guide can help organise the wider school handover.