On 9 June 2026 the government updated its home-to-school travel guidance for children of compulsory school age in England. The update follows a change to free school meals, which matters because the same low-income test is used for some school transport rights.
What changed
- From September 2026, every child in a household receiving Universal Credit qualifies for free school meals, whatever the parents earn.
- Free school transport has not been widened in the same way. The extended transport rights for low-income families still apply only to the "targeted group": households on Universal Credit with earnings below the threshold.
What hasn't changed
- SEND eligibility is unchanged. Children who can't reasonably walk to school because of special educational needs, disability or mobility problems remain eligible, whatever the distance.
- For low-income families in the targeted group, the distance limit for children over 8 is still lower than for other children, and secondary-age children can still get free transport to one of their three nearest suitable schools.
What to do
If your child newly gets free school meals from September 2026, don't assume they now qualify for free transport. Check your council's travel assistance policy. If your child has SEND, the rules that apply to them are the same as before. Read our parents' guide for how to apply.
Sources
- Contact: School travel guidance updated as free school meals rules change (9 June 2026)
- Department for Education: Travel to school for children of compulsory school age
We check every post against the official source before publishing. Rules and dates can change, so always confirm with your council or the source above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.