Free School Meals UK 2026: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Overview: Two Types of Free School Meals

In England there are two distinct pathways through which a child can receive Free School Meals (FSM): Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) and Income-Related Free School Meals. Understanding which one applies to your family is the first step to ensuring your child benefits from this entitlement.

• Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM): All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at a state-funded school in England are entitled to a free school meal every day, regardless of household income. No application is needed — the school arranges it automatically.
• Income-Related Free School Meals: Children in Year 3 to Year 11 (and in some sixth forms) may qualify if the household meets specific income or benefit criteria.

It is important to note that even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and automatically receives a free meal, you should still apply for income-related FSM if you meet the criteria — because qualifying for income-related FSM is what triggers valuable Pupil Premium funding for your child's school.

Universal Infant Free School Meals (Reception to Year 2)

Since September 2014, every child in a state-funded infant school or primary school in England who is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 has been entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal every school day. This was introduced to improve concentration, learning and wellbeing, and to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with income-related free meals.

This applies regardless of whether the parents are working, the household income, savings, or whether the family claims any benefits. It is a universal right and schools receive government funding to cover the cost. Parents do not need to do anything — the entitlement is automatic.

The government provides schools with additional funding per pupil to cover these meals. In 2025/26, the UIFSM funding rate is approximately £2.65 per meal per pupil (actual rates are set by DfE annually).

Income-Related Free School Meals: Who Qualifies?

Children in Year 3 and above (and some younger children if their school does not receive UIFSM funding — for example some academies and free schools that opted out) may qualify for income-related FSM if the household meets one of the following criteria:

The £7,400 UC Earnings Threshold Explained

The Universal Credit earnings threshold for free school meal eligibility is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the system. Here is exactly how it works:

• The threshold is £7,400 net earned income per year — this is the net pay from employment or self-employment after deducting income tax and National Insurance contributions.
• It does not include Universal Credit payments themselves, Child Benefit, or other unearned income.
• If either partner in a couple earns above the threshold, the household is not eligible — the assessment is based on household earnings, not individual earnings.
• Self-employed income is calculated before the Minimum Income Floor is applied to your UC assessment — the actual income earned is used, not the assumed figure.
• Families with earnings slightly above £7,400 who lose eligibility are protected by a transitional grace period during the UC rollout period.

The £7,400 figure translates to roughly £616/month net — which at the 2025 National Living Wage of £12.21/hour would be met at approximately 11.5 hours worked per week.

How to Apply for Free School Meals

Applying for income-related Free School Meals is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes. There are two main routes:

Route 1: Apply Through the School

Contact your child's school directly and ask to apply for FSM. The school office will usually provide a form or an online link. In most local authorities, schools submit the application to the council on your behalf, and the council checks your eligibility electronically against DWP and HMRC records. This means you may not need to submit any proof documents at all — the system checks automatically.

Route 2: Apply Through Your Local Authority

You can also apply directly through your local council's website. Most local authorities have an online FSM application form. You will typically need to provide:

• Your name, address and date of birth
• Your National Insurance number
• Your child's name, date of birth and school
• Details of the benefit you receive (e.g., UC reference number)

The council will usually verify your eligibility directly with DWP. If the online check is inconclusive, you may be asked for supporting documentation such as a recent UC statement or benefit letter.

Once approved, eligibility is confirmed and the school is notified. Your child can start receiving free meals immediately. Eligibility is typically reviewed annually, though you should notify the school or council if your circumstances change.

What Meals Are Included and Nutritional Standards

Free school meals must meet the government's School Food Standards, which set out nutritional requirements for all food and drink served in schools. Key standards include:

• At least one portion of vegetables or salad as an accompaniment every day
• At least three different fruits and three different vegetables or salad vegetables per week
• A starchy food every day
• Meat, fish or a non-dairy source of protein every day
• Dairy food every day
• No confectionery (sweets and chocolate bars) sold or served
• No more than two portions of deep-fried, battered or breaded food per week
• Only water, skimmed milk, lower-fat milk drinks and pure fruit juice — no fizzy drinks

The daily value of a free school meal is typically around £2.65 in primary schools and £3.00–£3.20 in secondary schools, though the actual meal allowance value varies by school and local authority.

Free School Meals and Pupil Premium Funding

One of the most significant wider impacts of qualifying for income-related FSM is the link to Pupil Premium. The Pupil Premium is additional government funding given to schools for each child who:

• Is currently eligible for income-related FSM, or
• Has been eligible at any point in the last six years (the "ever-6 FSM" measure)

In 2025/26, Pupil Premium rates are approximately:

Schools must use Pupil Premium funding to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. This might include one-to-one tutoring, additional teaching assistants, breakfast clubs, or extracurricular activities. Even if your child is in Year 1 or 2 and receives a universal free meal, applying for income-related FSM ensures your child's school receives this extra funding — which benefits both your child and the whole school community.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

Children who are eligible for income-related free school meals are also entitled to free places at Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme clubs during school holidays. These are typically run by local councils working with community organisations and holiday camp providers.

HAF clubs run during:

• Easter holidays (typically one week)
• Summer holidays (typically four weeks)
• Christmas holidays (typically one week)

Each place includes at least one healthy meal per session, along with structured physical and educational activities. The programme is funded by the Department for Education and coordinated locally. To find HAF providers near you, contact your local council or check their website.

Free Meals for Sixth Form and College Students (16-18)

There is no universal free meal entitlement for students aged 16–18 in England, but support is available through two main routes:

16-19 Bursary Fund

Students in financial hardship in sixth form or further education (FE) colleges may receive support through the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Institutions receive a bursary allocation and can use it to provide free or subsidised meals, transport, or equipment. Vulnerable students (care leavers, those on Income Support, or young people in receipt of UC as the primary claimant) receive a guaranteed bursary of £1,200/year.

Free Meals in Further Education (FMFE) Pilot

The government has run pilots to extend free meals to 16-18 year olds in further education who meet income-related FSM criteria. Check with your college or sixth form to find out what is available in your area.

Differences Across the Devolved Nations

Free Nursery Hours and the FSM Link

While Free School Meals and free nursery hours are separate entitlements, there is an indirect connection. Families on UC who qualify for income-related FSM may also be eligible for 15 hours of additional free childcare (on top of the universal 15 hours all 3-4 year olds receive). From April 2024, working parents on UC earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours at minimum wage per week became eligible for expanded free childcare hours, but this is subject to earnings thresholds that differ from the FSM threshold. Families near the FSM earnings threshold should check their exact entitlement carefully.

Documents You May Need When Applying

Most local authorities now check eligibility automatically using a real-time data-matching system called the Eligibility Checking System (ECS), which queries DWP and HMRC records. This means you often do not need to submit any documents at all. However, in some cases you may be asked to provide:

• Your National Insurance number (essential for ECS checks)
• A recent Universal Credit statement showing your award and earnings
• A letter from DWP confirming you receive a qualifying benefit
• If claiming on the basis of asylum support: a letter from the Home Office confirming Part VI support
• Proof of your child's identity and school enrolment (usually handled by the school)

Applications are processed quickly — most decisions are made within a few days, and many local authorities offer same-day or next-day decisions when the online eligibility check succeeds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free School Meals