Free School Meals
20 August 2026
From September 2026, more children in England will be entitled to free school meals (FSM). The rules are changing so that children living in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of household earnings.
This change means that some families who could not previously qualify because their earnings were above the £7,400 limit may now be entitled to free school meals.
From the start of the 2026–2027 school year, children in households receiving Universal Credit can get free school meals regardless of how much the household earns.
There will be two categories of free school meals:
Targeted FSM applies where a household:
- receives Universal Credit; and
- has annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, after tax and excluding benefits.
Children who qualify under this category can receive free school meals and may also attract additional support for their school, including Pupil Premium funding. Some other benefits and circumstances can also qualify a child for free school meals.
Expanded FSM is the new category being introduced from September 2026.
It covers children whose household receives Universal Credit but whose annual household earnings are more than £7,400.
These children will receive free school meals, but eligibility under the expanded category does not, by itself, attract Pupil Premium funding.
In simple terms:
Universal Credit + earnings of £7,400 or less = Targeted FSM
Universal Credit + earnings above £7,400 = Expanded FSM
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at state-funded schools continue to receive free school meals under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme, regardless of their family’s income.
If your family also receives a qualifying benefit, it is still important to apply for or register for free school meals because this can help your child’s school receive additional funding.
Free school meals are not necessarily awarded automatically. A claim must be made and eligibility checked by the school or local authority.
If your child attends a school in Warwickshire, you can check the rules and apply through Warwickshire County Council:
Apply for free school meals – Warwickshire County Council
You can also use the GOV.UK service to check eligibility and find the relevant local authority:
Check and apply for free school meals – GOV.UK
From September 2026, the rules become much simpler for many families:
If your household receives Universal Credit, your child may be entitled to free school meals regardless of your household earnings.
If you think your child may qualify, it is worth making an application even if you were previously told that your income was too high.
For advice about claiming Free School Meals call our Adviceline on 0800 250 5715 or call in to an advice session at your local office.
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