Free School Meals (FSM) – Key Changes – REGISTER NOW   

Category: News

Key changes brought about by the Children’s Wellbeing and School’s Act 2026 in relation to free school meal (FSM) eligibility mean that you MUST ACT NOW!  

If your child is currently in receipt of free school meals OR you think you are eligible under the new criteria, you must complete the registration form referred to below in order to continue to receive free school meals in September.   

From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals. Previously, families needed to earn below £7,400 per year to qualify, but this limit will be removed which means more families will be eligible for free school meals. 

Two types of free school meals (FSM) 

From 2026, there will be two categories:  

Targeted FSM for families who receive Universal Credit and have a family income below £7,400 a year. Targeted FSM will also attract Pupil premium funding to assist with academic support, wellbeing support, and enrichment opportunities.  

Expanded FSM for families receiving Universal Credit but who have an income above £7,400. This funding will provide free school meals but will not attract additional Pupil Premium funding. 

Households may also be eligible if parents:   

• are in receipt of support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999,   

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance  

• Receive the guarantee element of pension credit   

• Meet the criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds.   

Households must meet the FSM criteria from the start of 2026-2027 academic year to continue receiving support. 

End of transitional protection 

Until now, some pupils have kept their free school meal entitlement even if their family circumstances changed. This will end in July 2026. From September 2026, families must meet the current eligibility criteria to continue receiving targeted or expanded free school meals and this will be checked and reconfirmed each academic year.  

How to apply for Free School Meals 

If your child already receives FSM or you believe that you may be entitled to receive free school meals based on the new criteria, we ask that you complete the registration form by scanning the QR code or clicking on the link below as soon as possible. If you have multiple children attending the school, you will need to complete a registration form for each child. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/c26JHfLmqA  

Please complete by 15^th June 2026.  

Checklist 
1. Check eligibility – you may qualify if you receive benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or certain tax credits. 
2. Apply directly to the school using our online form by 15 June 2026.  A paper copy is also available from reception.  
3. Provide details – you will need your National Insurance number or supporting documents. 
4. Receive confirmation – we will confirm by email in due course if you qualify for targeted or expanded FSM 

If you require a paper copy of the form, please contact admin@aggs.bright-futures.co.uk.  

Need Help? 

If you would like support with your application, please contact the school office, we are happy to help.