Free School Meals and Pupil Premium

Some families may be entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM). From September 2026, eligibility for Free School Meals has been expanded to include all children whose household receives Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings.

There are now two categories of benefits-related Free School Meals:

Targeted Free School Meals (FSM)
Children whose household receives Universal Credit and has annual household earnings of £7,400 or less may be eligible for Targeted FSM.

Expanded Free School Meals (FSM)
Children whose household receives Universal Credit but whose annual household earnings are more than £7,400 may be eligible for Expanded FSM. This provides the child with a free school meal, but does not attract Pupil Premium funding for the school.

Pupil Premium

If your child is eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, it is important that you apply even if your child does not wish to have a school meal.

Targeted FSM eligibility is used to determine Pupil Premium funding, which provides additional funding to schools to support eligible pupils. This funding can be used to help support children with their education and may contribute towards activities such as school trips, music lessons and other educational opportunities.

If you think your child may be eligible, please apply or contact the school office for further information.

Who may be eligible?

Your child may be eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals if your household receives:

• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Certain support where a family has no recourse to public funds, subject to the relevant income criteria.    

For Universal Credit households, Targeted FSM applies where annual household earnings are £7,400 or less. Households receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400 may qualify for Expanded FSM.

How to apply

If you believe your child may be eligible, please contact the school office or your local authority for information about applying.

Please apply even if your child does not want a school meal, as registering for Targeted FSM may enable the school to receive Pupil Premium funding to support your child.