What Are Free School Meals? Who Qualifies and How to Apply in the UK

Free school meals (FSM) are a government-funded benefit providing a nutritious midday meal to eligible pupils in state-funded schools in England at no cost to the family. Eligibility is linked to specific household benefit entitlements, though all children in Reception to Year 2 receive a free meal automatically under the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.

What are free school meals and who provides them?

Free school meals are funded by the government and delivered through the school's catering service. In England, the entitlement applies to state schools including maintained schools, academies, and free schools. Independent schools are not required to offer free school meals, though some do so through charitable arrangements.

The meal provided must meet the government's school food standards, which set nutritional requirements for calories, fat, sugar, and food group variety. In most schools, pupils choose from a daily menu at the canteen. Some smaller schools or alternative provision settings may offer packed lunches or sandwiches instead.

Who qualifies for free school meals?

Eligibility for free school meals (beyond the universal infant entitlement) is based on the household's benefit status, not solely on income level. A pupil in England qualifies if their parent or guardian receives one of the following:

Qualifying benefit | Notes
Universal Credit, with a net household earned income of no more than £7,400 per year | The income threshold applies to earned income only, not benefit payments
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) | Legacy benefit; may still apply to claimants not yet moved to UC
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) | Legacy benefit
Income Support | Legacy benefit
Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit entitlement) and household income below £16,190 | For families not yet migrated to Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for WTC) | Short-term entitlement during transition
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 | Applies to certain asylum-seeking families

A pupil who is themselves receiving one of these benefits (rather than their parent) also qualifies in their own right.

What are Universal Infant Free School Meals?

All children in state-funded schools in England in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal regardless of household income. This is the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme, introduced in 2014. Families do not need to apply — the school provides a meal to every infant-age pupil automatically.

Once a child moves into Year 3, the universal entitlement ends. From Year 3 onwards, a free school meal is only available to pupils whose household meets the benefit-linked eligibility criteria above. Families whose circumstances changed during the infant years — and who now meet the criteria — should apply at the start of Year 3 to avoid an interruption in provision.

How do you apply for free school meals?

The process is straightforward and is handled through the school or local authority, depending on where you live:

Contact the school or local authority. Most local councils run an online eligibility checker. You can also apply directly through the school office. Ask for the free school meals application form or the eligibility portal link.

Provide your details. You will need your National Insurance number (or NASS reference for asylum-seeking families), your child's details, and confirmation of the qualifying benefit you receive. In most areas, the local authority checks eligibility automatically against DWP records — you do not need to submit payslips or benefit letters separately.

Receive a decision. Eligibility checks are usually processed within a few working days. If you qualify, the free meal entitlement begins promptly, often from the next school day or the start of the following week.

Renew if your circumstances change. Free school meals eligibility is reassessed periodically. If your benefits change, notify the school or local authority. If you move from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, recheck eligibility under the new UC criteria.

There is no cost or disadvantage to applying. Applying also triggers the school's entitlement to Pupil Premium funding for your child — additional money the school can spend on support and interventions.

What does the free meal actually include?

Schools are required to serve meals that meet the government's statutory school food standards. A typical free school meal at secondary school includes:

A main course with a protein source (meat, fish, eggs, or a vegetarian equivalent)

At least one portion of vegetables or salad

A starchy carbohydrate (pasta, rice, potatoes, or bread)

A dessert or piece of fruit

Water or milk (fizzy drinks are not permitted)

The specific menu varies by school and catering provider. Many secondary schools operate a cashless payment system where free school meal credit is loaded onto the pupil's account — meaning no visible distinction between pupils who pay and those who receive a free meal, protecting dignity and reducing stigma.

What is the Pupil Premium link and why does it matter?

Registering for free school meals has an important secondary benefit: it triggers Pupil Premium funding. Schools receive additional government funding for each pupil who is currently eligible for free school meals, or who has been eligible in the past six years (the "Ever-6" rule). In 2024–25, this was approximately £1,050 per eligible secondary pupil per year.

This money is ring-fenced for disadvantaged pupil support — tutoring, mentoring, resources, and catch-up programmes. Many families who qualify for free school meals never register, which means the school never receives the Pupil Premium allocation for those children. Even if your child does not want to take the school meal, it is worth applying so the school can access this additional funding on their behalf.

Are there situations where eligible families are turned away?

Eligibility should be checked objectively against the benefit criteria. However, administrative errors do occur. If your application is refused and you believe you meet the criteria, ask the local authority to review the decision in writing. Keep evidence of your benefit status (a UC statement, for example) in case it is needed to support the review.

If your child is in secondary school and feels uncomfortable using the free meal entitlement due to stigma, raise this with the school. Most schools have moved to cashless systems precisely to avoid this issue, but schools should also be able to provide reassurance about how the entitlement appears to other pupils.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply for free school meals even if my child is in Reception?

All pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 receive a free school meal automatically through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme — no application is needed. However, if your household is also eligible for means-tested free school meals (based on benefit entitlement), it is still worth applying. Doing so registers your child for the Pupil Premium, which means the school receives additional funding to support your child throughout their time there.

What if my child's eligibility changes during the school year?

If your household circumstances change — for example, you move onto Universal Credit or your income falls below the threshold — you can apply for free school meals at any point during the year. Eligibility begins quickly once confirmed. Equally, if you stop receiving the qualifying benefit, eligibility ends. Local authorities periodically re-check eligibility against DWP records, so it is important to keep the school or local authority updated about changes in your circumstances.

Can a child in sixth form receive free school meals?

The means-tested free school meals entitlement does not extend to young people in sixth form (Years 12 and 13) in England. Sixth-formers in full-time education may be eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, administered by their school or college, which can help with food and other costs. This is separate from free school meals and requires a separate application through the educational institution.

Will other pupils know my child is receiving a free school meal?

Most secondary schools in England use a cashless catering system in which all pupils have an account — either loaded with cash by parents or topped up with free school meal credit by the school. To other pupils and staff, every transaction looks the same. There is no visible distinction at the till between a pupil who pays and one who uses a free meal entitlement. If you are concerned about how it works at your child's specific school, contact the school office to ask how the system operates.

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