Free school meals guidance updated for EOTAS children
2 mins read
Thursday 8 October 2026
This advice applies in England only.
Local authorities should consider making equivalent food provision for children receiving EOTAS who meet either targeted or expanded free school meal eligibility.
The government has updated its free school meals guidance for children receiving education otherwise than at school (EOTAS) packages in England.
The update makes clear local authority responsibilities to children in EOTAS who are eligible for free school meals.
Who is eligible for free school meals?
Since September, free school meal eligibility in England includes all children from households receiving Universal Credit. Previously, children from households receiving Universal Credit received free school meals only if their parent’s income fell below certain thresholds.
Those eligible under the new rules are called the “expanded group.” Children eligible under previous rules are called the “targeted group”. This distinction is used to decide who gets other support, such as free school transport.
See our page on help with education costs to see other groups eligible for free school meals.
Free school meals and EOTAS
Some children and young people with education, health and care (EHC) plans can’t attend “standard” education settings, such as schools, colleges, pupil referral units, etc.
Instead, they receive their education and special educational provision either at home, within an external setting or centre, or flexibly. This is a legal mechanism commonly known as EOTAS. EOTAS stands for education otherwise than at school.
There is no specific provision in law for children in receipt of EOTAS to receive free school meals. Since guidance updates in 2024, however, the government has made clear that local authorities must consider ways to ensure children in EOTAS eligible for free school meals can access provision. This might be via a supermarket voucher, for example.
What is the new guidance update?
The new guidance update states that local authority responsibilities apply to all children in EOTAS eligible for free school meals.
This means both children who apply as part of the “targeted group” and children who apply as part of the “expanded group.”
Where can I find out more?
Visit our pages below for more advice on this topic: