FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Free School Meals from September 2026
From September 2026, free school meal eligibility is expanding. All children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals. We strongly encourage all families in receipt of Universal Credit to apply – even if your income has increased, your child may now qualify.
Applying is quick and easy via the Online FSM Application (OFSM).
New FSM Categories from September 2026
Two types of benefit-based free school meals will be introduced:
-
Targeted Free School Meals
Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit -
Expanded Free School Meals
Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit.
How do I know if my child is eligible for free school meals?
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1st April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:
- younger than the compulsory age for starting school
- in full-time education
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary).
How do I claim for free school meals?
You can check if your child is eligible for free school meals by following the link below:
