Parents, please make yourself familiar with the changes to FSM eligibility from September 2026.
Who can get free school meals?
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) is delivering an expansion to FSM eligibility to include all pupils from households in receipt of Universal Credit. There will then be 2 categories of FSM:
- Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing £7,400 income threshold
- Expanded FSM, which will apply to meals only, covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM, but who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit.
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
A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:
- a claim for this support has been made
- their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority
Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:
- are in receipt of 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
Under the expanded scheme from September 2026, Staffordshire Local Authority are advising that you do not apply until after 15th June 2026.
Applying for free school meals | Free school meals | Staffordshire County Council
We strongly recommend that you apply for Free School Meals if you think you meet the criteria, as this gives you access to a range of other benefits in school. Even if you do not want your child to have the free meal, claiming helps the school as we receive more funding. Please consider this when making your decision.
Please note Staffordshire County Council are unable to backdate a claim for entitlement to free school meals to cover unpaid money or refund money paid prior to the start date of a successful application.
Children being fostered are not normally eligible to claim free school meals as the fostering allowance paid is intended to cover the cost of the provision of meals for the child.
