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The short answer
Yes, children in families with no recourse to public funds can get free school meals in England if household income is below the Department for Education's NRPF thresholds and savings are no more than £16,000. For 2026-27, the 'targeted' thresholds are £28,500 (one child) or £29,400 (two or more) outside London and £32,700 or £34,800 in London, with higher 'expanded' thresholds for meals only, per DfE guidance of 7 October 2026. Work, student and spouse visa holders are named.
Who is covered
The DfE guidance 'Providing free school meals to families with no recourse to public funds', updated 7 October 2026, says most temporary immigration permissions carry NRPF and that eligible children in NRPF households continue to qualify for free school meals from the 2026 to 2027 academic year. It lists groups including:
- work visa holders
- student visa holders
- spousal visa holders
- families with permission on private and family life grounds (Article 8)
- families supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 with an NRPF restriction
- people supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Zambrano and Chen carers
- BN(O) passport holders
- those with no immigration status
So a Nigerian family where the parents hold Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker or student permission is within scope if income and savings are under the limits.
The two categories and their thresholds
From 2026 to 2027, free school meals in England are split into 'targeted' and 'expanded'. For NRPF families, the guidance gives two sets of annual household net income thresholds. A child qualifies under one or the other, not both.
| Area and children | Targeted (meal plus extra entitlements) | Expanded (meal only) |
|---|---|---|
| Outside London, 1 child | £28,500 | £29,400 |
| Outside London, 2 or more children | £29,400 | £37,300 |
| London, 1 child | £32,700 | £35,000 |
| London, 2 or more children | £34,800 | £43,100 |
London means the 32 London boroughs and the City of London. In every case the parents must hold no more than £16,000 in capital and savings, jointly or as a single parent.
What each category gives
Targeted pupils get the free meal and also bring pupil premium funding to the school, eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food programme and the 'extended rights' element of school travel help. Expanded pupils get the free meal only, according to the DfE's summary of changes.
A worked example
Example only: a family in Birmingham with two children, both parents on Health and Care Worker permission, with combined net income of £33,000 a year and £5,000 in savings. They are above the targeted limit outside London for 2 or more children (£29,400) but below the expanded limit (£37,300), and their savings are under £16,000. The children would qualify for expanded free school meals: the meal only. The same family living in Lewisham would be within London's targeted limit of £34,800, so they would get the meal plus the extra entitlements.
How to apply
- Ask the school (or local authority) for its NRPF free school meals application. The DfE has a sample form with a self-declaration, though schools may use their own.
- Show your NRPF status. For work, student or spouse visa holders, the guidance says you show your visa; others can use a Home Office letter, eVisa or other documents listed.
- Show your income. Schools are recommended to ask for one of: a payslip, a P60, a bank statement, a letter from your bank or employer, or a letter from a local authority or charity giving support.
- Sign the self-declaration that you have NRPF, which threshold applies, that your income is under the limit and that capital is not over £16,000.
Schools cannot use the DfE's digital checking service for these families, because it relies on Universal Credit or legacy benefit records. Eligibility is rechecked annually. For autumn 2026 only, schools may complete checks up to and including 2 November 2026 for census funding.
How 'net income' is usually worked out
The thresholds are for annual household net income, which means income after tax and National Insurance, for everyone in the household whose income counts (normally both parents or carers). The guidance asks families to self-declare, and schools verify with a payslip, P60 or statement. If your income varies, for example with overtime or agency shifts, base the figure on a realistic year and keep the evidence. If your circumstances change mid-year, tell the school; eligibility is reviewed through annual rechecks, and a change in either direction can move you between categories.
Separate from universal infant meals
Children in reception, year 1 and year 2 in England get universal infant free school meals regardless of income. The NRPF route matters from year 3 onwards, and for the extra entitlements of the targeted category at any age.
What to check first
- Net household income for the year and which threshold applies to your area.
- Total savings, including any held in Nigeria.
- Your visa or eVisa ready to show.
- Other help that NRPF does not block: what NRPF means.
Where Pryme fits
If the school asks for a bank statement and some of your income or savings sit in a Pryme account, you can generate a verifiable statement that the school can check is genuine and unaltered. If you also pay fees for a child in Nigeria, see paying school fees in Nigeria from abroad and paying Nigerian school fees from the UK.
Questions people ask
Can I get free school meals on a Skilled Worker visa?
In England, yes, if your household net income is under the DfE's NRPF threshold for your area and family size and savings are £16,000 or less.
What is the income limit for free school meals for NRPF families?
For 2026-27 outside London: £28,500 or £29,400 (targeted) and £29,400 or £37,300 (expanded). In London: £32,700 or £34,800, and £35,000 or £43,100.
Will free school meals affect my visa?
Free school meals are not on GOV.UK's list of public funds, and the DfE guidance names work, student and spouse visa holders as eligible.
Does this apply in Scotland or Wales?
This guidance is for England. Scotland and Wales run their own school meal policies; check with your council.
Sources
- DfE: Providing free school meals to families with no recourse to public funds (7 October 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- DfE: Implementing changes to free school meals (7 October 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Public funds (updated 9 April 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
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