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Free School Meals

June 2026

Free School Meals – Check if you are eligible

The Department for Education has recently updated the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals. This means some families may now qualify, even if they have not been eligible in the past.

If you receive Universal Credit, you should apply. We strongly encourage all families to check their eligibility and submit an application.

To apply, you will need:

  • Your name
  • Your National Insurance number
  • Your date of birth

Find out more and apply online here: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

Please note: the application system will be unavailable from 9 July to 15 July 2026.

 

There are three types of Free School Meals: Expanded, Targeted and Universal Infant

Criteria

Expanded FSM

Targeted FSM

Universal Infant FSM

Who qualifies

Families in receipt of Universal Credit, household income above £7400 per year
  • Families in receipt of Universal Credit, household income under £7400 per year
  • Other qualifying benefits
  • Certain immigration statuses.

See next page for details.

Based on child’s school year: Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 where you don’t qualify for Expanded or Targeted FSM

Meals (term time)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Holiday Activity Food fund support (HAF)

No

Yes register your child at www.haf-it.co.uk

No

Pupil Premium support – each  school has it’s own policy

No

Yes

No

Subsidised Home to school transport

No

Possible, if additional criteria are met www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/schools-education-and-learning/school-and-college-travel

No

How to apply

Apply online: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

No application needed. Speak to your child’s school

When to apply

From Mid June

From now

N/A

Protected status until:

August 2027, you’ll be rechecked each summer for the next academic year

Finishes at the end of year 2

Important note

Our application system will be unavailable July 8th until July 15th

 

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

Expanded Free School Meals

  • You receive Universal Credit with a household income over £7,400 per year (over £616 per month) after tax (excluding benefits) based on your last 3 months’ statements

Targeted Free School Meals – Benefit-based eligibility

  • You receive Universal Credit with a household income of under £7,400 per year (under £616 per month) after tax (excluding benefits) based on your last 3 months’ statements
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Guaranteed Pension Credit
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance

Targeted Free School Meals – Immigration-based eligibility

  • Zambrano carers
  • Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) with leave under Article 8
  • Families supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 with No Recourse to Public Funds
  • Certain supported failed asylum seekers (Section 4)
  • Chen carers
  • BN(O) passport holders
  • Spousal, work or student visa holders
  • Individuals with no immigration status

Financial criteria for immigration cases

  • Annual income of less than £22,700 for families with 1 child
  • Annual income of less than £26,300 for families with 2 or more children
  • Savings must be under £16,000
  1. free-school-meals-launch-notice-for-parents pdf

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