Free School Meals (FSM)

From September 2026, the Government is expanding eligibility for free school meals.

Children attending school in England will be entitled to a free school meal if their parent or carer receives Universal Credit, regardless of earnings. 

This change means that many more families will qualify for free school meals from September 2026.

Why should I apply?

Registering for free school meals can:

• Save families money on school lunches.
• Ensure your child receives a nutritious meal during the school day.
• Help the school identify whether your child is also eligible for additional support through Pupil Premium funding.
• Enable access to other support that may be linked to eligibility, such as holiday activity programmes and other assistance schemes offered by local authorities. 

There are two categories:

Targeted Free School Meals

Children whose families:

• Receive Universal Credit; and
• Have annual earned income of £7,400 or less (after tax and excluding benefits)

will receive: ✅ Free School Meals and ✅ Pupil Premium support for the school.  See Pupil Premium infromation below. 

Expanded Free School Meals

Children whose families:

• Receive Universal Credit; and
• Have earnings above £7,400

will receive: ✅ Free School Meals.  Expanded Free School Meals will not have Pupil Premium funding allocated to the school.

Pupil Premium Funding

Pupil Premium funding from the government is given to schools to help certain pupils reach their full potential.  School will use this additional funding to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.   It is provided for pupils; 

• Are eligible for `Targeted Free School Meals’
• Have parents in the armed forces

Is my child eligible for ‘Free Schools Meals’?

Your child might be eligible if you access:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are also not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits)

We encourage parents to claim for ‘Free School Meals’ if they are eligible, even if they do not wish to have school lunches, as the school receives extra funding.  All applications are treated confidentially, and pupils will follow the same lunch system as paying pupils, so they will be anonymous.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Currently, pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal thanks to a different government funding scheme known as 'Universal Infant Free School Meals' (UIFSM). You should not confuse UIFSM with 'Free Schools Meals', or 'Pupil Premium'.

If your child is in reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and is eligible for 'Free School Meals' according to the criteria above, you should still register because the school will receive the extra 'Pupil Premium' funding.

How do I Apply?

If you would like further information, or you want the school to check whether you are entitled to 'Free School Meals' and/or 'Pupil Premium', please complete the application form below, or E-Mail the School Office at school@htp.tamat.org.uk.  The parent or carer receiving the benefit will need to provide their National Insurance number, their date of birth and their surname as shown on their National Insurance record.  By providing these details, you are authorising the school to carry out a check on your behalf.  Your personal information will be held securely, and the check will be done via a secure government website.