Apply for free school meals
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Get extra funding for your school
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility has been expanded to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings.
Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
From September 2026, there will be 2 categories of benefits-based free school meals:
- Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
- Expanded FSM, a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit
If your child is eligible for Targeted FSM, your school will receive additional funding called the Pupil Premium grant.
All children who are either Targeted or Expanded FSM eligible will get a free meal at school.
Universal infant free school meals
Your child will be able to get free school meals if they are in a government-funded school and are in:
- Reception
- Year 1
- Year 2
Holiday activities and food programme
School-aged children and young people who qualify for benefits-related free school meals can access free holiday clubs during the:
- Easter holidays
- Summer holidays
- Christmas holidays
Clubs provide a wide range of activities, for example:
- sports and games
- arts and crafts
- music
- drama
- learning about food as well as healthy meals and snacks
Find out more about the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.
