Is your child eligible for Free School Meals? If so please see information below and how to apply.
Free School Meals Criteria change September 2026
The UK government is expanding free school meals (FSM) eligibility in England from September 2026. Under the new rules, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals.
Targeted Free School Meals for the 2026/2027 academic year (known as Pupil Premium)
If your household has met the Universal Credit household income threshold (under £7400), your child/ren will be entitled to:
A free school meal.
A free code to access the Time2Move Holiday Programme during the relevant school holidays (Easter, Summer and Christmas).
The school will receive Pupil Premium funding. This could be used to support your child with their learning, help with costs of school trips, school swimming lessons and music lessons via the Cornwall Music Service Trust.
New from September 2026
Expanded Free School Meals for the 2026/2027 academic year
If your household has met the Universal Credit household income threshold (above £7400). Your children will be entitled to a free school meal. This represents an annual saving of over £500.00 per child per year.
Key Stage 1 Children
All Key Stage 1 (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) pupils are entitled to receive a free school meal. This is part of the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) initiative and is regardless of what benefits are being claimed.
However, some children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 may also have an entitlement to benefits-related Targeted Free School Meals (Pupil Premium). Children in this group can benefit from additional funding paid to the school to support your child in their learning, support with school trips, swimming and music lessons and free access to the Time2Move Holiday Programme.
It is important to apply for benefits-related Targeted Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) if you think your child may be eligible even though they already receive a free school meal.
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Free school meals eligibility criteria if you receive benefits
A child is eligible for free school meals if their parent/carer (or the child themselves) receives any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support (IS)
- Job Seekers' Allowance (Income-Based) and equal based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA-IR) and equal based Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) provided you're not also 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
- Guarantee Element of Pension Credit (GPC)
- Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (IAA) Supports
There are different eligibility criteria for families who are not entitled to benefits (NRPF - No Recourse to Public Funds)
Apply for Free School Meals
You can apply for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium online.
Please ensure you have read the important information on this page before applying.
Apply for Free School Meals Here
Schools in Cornwall are responsible for arranging their own school meal provision; however, all schools must meet the national nutritional standards
If you are not sure if your child/ren are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals (Pupil Premium) or Expanded Free School Meals, contact the school office who will be able to help you with an application.