Free School Meals (FSM) Expansion - information for schools
Last updated: 19th June 2026
From September 2026, there will be national changes to Free School Meals (FSM). These changes are led by the Department for Education (DfE), and guidance is continuing to evolve.
- Schools should regularly check the official DfE guidance for the most up-to-date information.
- Watch the DfE schools webinar (5 June 2026).
What's changing?
The DfE has announced that:
- All pupils in families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals
- FSM will be split into two categories based on household income:
- Targeted FSM - households earning £7,400 or less
- Expanded FSM - households earning above £7,400
Key differences
- Both groups will receive free school meals
- Only Targeted FSM pupils will continue to attract wider support (e.g. Pupil Premium eligibility going forward)
- Transitional protections (in place since 2018) will end at the end of the 2025/26 academic year
What this means for schools?
The DfE has made clear that:
Schools are responsible for ensuring families understand these changes and any impact on their entitlement.
Schools should prepare for:
- Changes to existing pupils' eligibility
- New applications from families becoming newly eligible
- Increased demand for school meals
- Changes to funding and tracking of FSM categories
What the changes mean for pupils and families currently receiving FSMs
From September 2026, following the review, pupils currently receiving FSM will fall into one of three categories:
- Continue on Targeted FSM (with additional support)
- Move to Expanded FSM(Free School Meals only)
- Become no longer eligible
Some families may face financial pressures if their eligibility changes. Schools should signpost to support where needed.
View Sunderland City Council's Managing your money page.
What this means for pupils and families with newly eligible pupils
- Families will be able to officially apply for FSMs ahead of the new school term starting September 2026. Please note applications can only be done only once the new system is in place - expected to be live in July 2026
- Demand for FSM is expected to increase significantly
Sunderland context (TfC Support)
While this is a DfE-led national policy, Together for Children (TfC) is supporting schools locally where possible.
We are currently:
- Checking FSM eligibility for existing pupils
- Preparing school-level data on FSM status changes - this is expected to be available from week commencing 22nd June 2026
- Developing template communications for schools to share with families, tailored to each scenario (no change in status, eligibility for expanded FSM, or not applicable)
- Updating the FSM application system (Family Portal)
Applications - important information
- FSM applications will continue to be submitted via Sunderland's online Family Portal
- The system update is expected to go live in early July 2026, after which we will inform schools of the outcome and provide template letters for them to distribute to families
- Parents and carers should only reapply if they wish to challenge the decision, and only after they have received a letter from schools confirming their status
- Until the system is live, applications cannot be processed
- Reapplying before receiving the letter may result in incorrect eligibility being recorded, which could affect funding
- Paper application forms should not be used due to the expected high number of applications
- Encouraging families to apply before the system is live will create unnecessary backlogs for TfC, add extra steps for families, and increase workload for schools
Funding for schools
- Only Targeted FSM pupils will attract Pupil Premium going forward
- FSM eligibility and disadvantage funding will no longer directly align
Further Guidance (DfE Resources)
For full details, schools should refer to:
- FSM guidance for schools and local authorities
- Operational readiness checklist
- Eligibility evidence guidance
- Pupil Premium 2026-27 technical note
