Could your child be entitled to free school meals?
We are writing to encourage all parents and carers to check whether their child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM).
From 1 September 2026, the government is changing the eligibility criteria for free school meals. Under the new rules, all children living in a household receiving Universal Credit can receive free school meals.
There are two types of benefits-related free school meals:
Targeted Free School Meals
Your child may qualify for Targeted Free School Meals if your household receives Universal Credit and has annual earnings of £7,400 or less.
Targeted FSM provides additional benefits. Children who qualify can also:
- Take part in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
- Help their school receive additional Pupil Premium funding.
- Benefit from the extra support that Pupil Premium funding provides for learning and wellbeing.
Expanded Free School Meals
If your household receives Universal Credit but does not meet the £7,400 earnings threshold for Targeted FSM, your child may qualify for Expanded Free School Meals.
Children in this group can receive free school meals, but they will not be eligible for the additional support linked to Targeted FSM.
Who else may be eligible?
Targeted free school meals are available to pupils in West Sussex maintained schools, free schools and academies where the child or their parent receives one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Already receiving free school meals?
If your child already receives free school meals, you do not need to reapply immediately. Their eligibility will be checked under the new rules before 1 September 2026. We will provide the outcome to your child's school, and the school will let you know.
Once your child has been given a free school meal status — either Targeted FSM or Expanded FSM — they will keep that status until the end of the school year.
Eligibility will then be checked each year before the start of the new school year. If further information is needed, you may be contacted and asked to provide updated details.
What if my child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2?
If your child does not qualify for benefits-related free school meals but is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they can still receive Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM).
You do not need to apply for UIFSM. Please contact your child's school if you would like more information.
However, if your child receives UIFSM and your household qualifies for Targeted FSM, it is important that you register for Targeted FSM. This allows your child's school to claim Pupil Premium funding, giving the school additional money to support children's learning and wellbeing.
How do I apply?
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/
If you receive any of the benefits listed above, we strongly encourage you to apply for free school meals.
You can apply online using the Free School Meals application service. You can also access the Free school meal application process for parents for further information.
Once your application has been successfully processed, you will receive confirmation.
Please take a few minutes to check your eligibility and apply. Even if your child already receives a free meal at school, registering for Targeted FSM could help your school access valuable additional funding to support your child's education and wellbeing.
Thank you for taking the time to check your eligibility. Applying could make a real difference — both to your child and to the support available through their school.
