Free School Meals

Is you child entitled to received Free School Meals?

Changes to Free School Meal eligibility 

We would like to highlight an important update regarding new eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (FSM). From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, ALL children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free meal, regardless of earnings. There will be 2 categories

• Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. Pupils eligible for Targeted FSM will attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their schools. 

 

• Expanded FSM (meals only), a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit

Many more families will become eligible for the first time under the expanded FSM criteria. To ensure that those families can receive free meals at the beginning of 26/27 acedemic year in August, please apply without delay.

Transitional protection ending

Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals while Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies regardless of any change in household circumstances, including if their earnings rise above the threshold during that time. Protections remain in place until the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

• Existing protections end at the end of the 2025/26 academic year
• From Sept 2026, eligibility depends on current criteria again

You must submit an application to access this entitlement. 

Eligiblity will run for the academic year, re-checks will be carried out at the beginning of each new acedemic year to determine current status for the following year.

 

Apply for FSM

Applying for FSMs is quick and easy, you can ring the School Food Support team at Leicestershire County Council.

By telephone 0116 3055417  or

Online at  www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, just call the above number to check. Our school office team can support you with the application process if it would be helpful, just call us at school 01530 412243. If you have any questions, we are always happy to help.

 

HAFF Vouchers 

FSM eligiblity will entitle your child to receive free Holiday Activity vouchers to use at the end of each term.

You will automatically receive the vouchers prior to each end of term.

Click here for Parent Guide on how to redeem and book available activites.