🍎 Could Your Child Be Entitled to Free School Meals?

Please take a moment to check — you could be entitled to help with the cost of school meals.

We encourage all parents and carers to check whether their child is eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). You may be entitled even if you have not previously applied.

🆕 Important changes from September 2026

From the start of the 2026–27 academic year, all children living in a household receiving Universal Credit are eligible for Free School Meals, regardless of household earnings.

Other families may also qualify, including some families receiving:

• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Certain support where a family has no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

There are also separate arrangements for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, who receive Universal Infant Free School Meals.

⭐ Have you received Free School Meals before?

Please don't assume that your previous entitlement will automatically continue.

The rules changed from September 2026 and the previous transitional protections have ended. Families now need to meet the current eligibility criteria, and eligibility is checked on an ongoing basis.

If your child has previously been entitled to Free School Meals, please make sure that your application/eligibility has been checked for the new academic year.

💷 Why is it worth checking?

If your child is eligible, they can receive a free school meal, helping to reduce the cost of school lunches for your family.

For children who meet the targeted Free School Meal criteria, eligibility can also help their school receive additional funding to support pupils.

You could be entitled — so please check!

📝 How do I apply?

Applications are made through your local authority. You can check your eligibility and find out how to apply on the GOV.UK website:

Check if your child is eligible and apply for Free School Meals

If you are unsure whether you qualify, we strongly encourage you to check. It is better to apply and have your eligibility confirmed than to miss out on support that your family may be entitled to.