Two important changes are taking place with Free School Meals from September 2026.

1. Those currently receiving free school meals are required to have the eligibility checked annually. For September 2026, this can be done now and information is below.

2. The criteria for receiving free school meals has changed so you could be eligible from September, if you currently are not.

 

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).

 

Who may be eligible?

Targeted Free School Meals (with additional funding for schools)

Families may be eligible if they receive:

• Universal Credit with a household income of £7,400 a year or less.
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit.
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• Support as a family with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

 

End of Transitional Protection

Temporary protections, which allowed children to continue receiving free school meals without rechecking eligibility, will end at the close of the 2025–2026 academic year.

From September 2026, all families will need to meet the current eligibility criteria to continue receiving free school meals.

 

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 and has an annual earned income of £7,400 or less (after tax, excluding benefits).
• Expanded Free School Meals
  Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit.