Important Free School Meals Update
The Government has expanded the Free School Meals (FSM) programme so that all families receiving Universal Credit may now be eligible. This means that more children and young people will be able to benefit from Free School Meals.
As part of these changes, the way eligibility is assessed is also changing. Previously, once a child had been confirmed as eligible their entitlement was protected for the remainder of their education even if family circumstances changed. From September 2026, this protection will no longer apply, and eligibility will need to be reviewed each year.
From 1st September 2026 there will be two categories of Free School Meal eligibility:
- Targeted Eligibility: Applies to students in households receiving Universal Credit with an annual household income of £7,400 or less. Children in this category will receive FSMs, and this will also enable their school to receive additional Pupil Premium funding, which helps provide extra support for students.
- Expanded Eligibility: Applies to students in households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400. Children in this category will receive FSMs. However, schools will not receive Pupil Premium funding for students in this category.
What you need to do
To help ensure every family receives the support they may be entitled to, we are encouraging all families receiving Universal Credit to complete a short application form to check their eligibility. The application process is quick and helps confirm whether your child qualifies for FSMs. Once your application has been assessed, the outcome will be shared securely with the school.
If you are already claiming free school meals for your child, you must complete a new application to check eligibility under the updated criteria. This is because all previous protections end at the close of this academic year. This will ensure that your child's entitlement can continue where eligible.
To make an application, please visit the Harris Federation Free School Meal Portal via the following link: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/harrisfederation
We kindly ask all parents complete the application as soon as possible to help ensure everything is in place for the start of the new academic year. We understand that changes like these can sometimes raise questions and we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us. (Finance@harrischaffordhundred.org.uk)