Free School Meals

Free School Meals - September 2026 changes

This information reflects the current national position based on Government guidance. We will update this page as more details become available.

The Government has announced changes to Free School Meals (FSM) from September 2026. These changes may affect your child's entitlement.

What is changing?

From September 2026, all children whose families receive Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals.

There will be two categories depending on household income:

• Targeted Free School Meals
  For families receiving Universal Credit with yearly household earnings of £7,400 or less.
  Children in this group will continue to receive additional support, such as extended school travel assistance (where applicable).
• Expanded Free School Meals
  For families receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400.
  Children in this group will still receive a Free School Meal each day. If your child currently receives extended school travel assistance, this will continue for the 2026/27 academic year.

Who is eligible?

From September 2026, more children are expected to become eligible.

Free School Meals will be available to pupils whose parents or carers receive one or more of the following:

• Universal Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

A child will only receive Free School Meals where:

• An application has been made, and
• Eligibility has been confirmed by the school or the local authority

Some households may also be eligible if they:

• Receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Receive the Guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds

Changes to existing entitlement

Since April 2018, transitional protection has meant that children have continued to receive Free School Meals even if family circumstances changed (meaning once a child became eligible. This protection will end at the end of the 2025/26 school year (July 2026).

What this means for your child

If your child currently receives Free School Meals, their eligibility will be reassessed before September 2026.

Your child will fall into one of the following groups:

• Continue to receive Free School Meals and additional support (Targeted FSM)
• Continue to receive Free School Meals only (Expanded FSM)
• No longer be eligible for Free School Meals

If your child is no longer eligible, you will need to pay for school meals or provide a packed lunch from September 2026.

Find out if your child can get Free School Meals

Click the link below to find out if your child can get Free School Meals and apply.

Free School Meal Eligibility 2026

The form will guide you through the process and let you know if there are any next steps you need to take.

Families with Asylum Seeker status and Families with No Recourse to Public Funds 

If your family have Asylum Seeker status or have No Recourse to Public Funds please click the below link to provide evidence required to verify your eligibility for Free School Meals:

Asylum Seekers & No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) eligibility checker

Please note in addition to completing this form you will be asked to send all supporting documents via email.