Free School Meals Eligibility

Since September 2014, all pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 in state-funded schools in England are entitled to a free school meal every day, regardless of family income. This is known as Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM).

No application is required for UIFSM — the school provides this automatically. If your child is not receiving a free meal and is in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2, contact the school office immediately.

UIFSM does not affect entitlement to means-tested free school meals for older siblings. If a family qualifies for means-tested FSM, they should still apply — the school receives additional pupil premium funding for each child registered as FSM-eligible, which benefits the whole school.

For children in Years 3–11 (and in sixth form in some circumstances), free school meals are means-tested. Your child is eligible if you (the parent/carer) are receiving one of the following:

• Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding £7,400 per year (after tax and National Insurance)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (where not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) with annual income under £16,190
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

To apply, contact your local council. Many councils have an online FSM application form. The council checks eligibility automatically with DWP records — the process usually takes a few days. Once approved, the school is notified and free meals are provided immediately.

When the Universal Credit earnings threshold was introduced in 2018, children who were already receiving free school meals under the old rules were given transitional protection — they continued to receive free school meals even if their family's circumstances changed and they would no longer qualify under the new rules.

Transitional protection applies until the child:

• Changes school (including moving from primary to secondary)
• Leaves the education system

This means children who were entitled under old rules and have not changed school remain entitled indefinitely. If you are unsure whether your child has transitional protection, contact your local council's FSM team.

Children entitled to means-tested free school meals may also be eligible for support during school holidays through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which is funded by the government and delivered through local authorities and third-sector organisations.

HAF typically offers:

• Free places on holiday activity camps for FSM-eligible children aged 5–16
• A meal as part of the activity programme
• Enrichment activities including sports, arts, and educational sessions

Contact your local council or check the council's website for HAF provision in your area. During major school holidays (Easter, summer, Christmas), many councils also work with community food banks and churches to provide additional support.