Free School Meals provide eligible pupils with a free school lunch during the school day. Eligibility is set by the government and schools/local authorities manage applications.

Registering for Free School Meals may also bring additional funding into school through pupil premium.

This funding helps schools provide extra support and opportunities for pupils, including:

• school trips
• additional academic support
• wellbeing support

From September 2026, eligibility rules are changing so that more families may qualify. Families receiving Universal Credit may now be eligible under the updated arrangements.

We encourage all families to check eligibility, even if you have not qualified before.

There will be two types of Free School Meal eligibility from September 2026:

• ‘Targeted FSM’, which continues to be based on the existing £7,400 income threshold; and
• ‘Expanded FSM’, a new category, which will apply to meals only, covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM, but who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit.

You may be able to apply if you receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits.

Because eligibility rules can change and individual circumstances vary, we encourage all families who think they might qualify to apply.

Your child will be entitled to Free School Meals is you get any of these benefits:

• Universal Credit
• income support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

You can do this in one of two ways. You can follow the link below to the North Somerset Council/Bath & North East Somerset/ Bristol City Council website and apply online over the summer break.

www.n-somerset.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

www.bathnes.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/schools-learning-and-early-years/travel-and-free-school-meals/free-school-meals

Alternatively, you can complete the form linked below and return to the school office before the end of Term 6 to ensure that your application can be processed in time for the new academic year. If you would like a hard copy of the form to complete, one can be provided by the school office.  If your child is moving to a new school in September, please ensure that the form is passed to the new school before the end of term.

Click here to download the FSM application form

Most applications are quick to complete and only take a few minutes. Processing times may vary depending on the local authority.

You may be asked for information such as:

• Your name and address
• Date of birth
• National Insurance Number
• Details relating to qualifying benefits

If your child is going to be in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 in September, they will automatically get free school meals under the Universal Infant Free School Meal provision. However, if you think you are eligible for Targeted due to a low household income, you are encouraged to apply for Free School Meals so that your child becomes eligible for Pupil Premium funding too. Your child will be entitled to Targeted FSM is you get any of these benefits:

• income support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit with annual take home pay/met earnings below £7,400 (which equals £616.67 per month) benefits not included

This depends on your local council:

BANES and Bristol Schools: 

All existing pupils in receipt of free school meals will need to have their entitlement rechecked before the start of the new term. These rechecks will be automatic and no action will be required by parents. 

If your family’s earnings exceed the FSM threshold, your child(ren) will lose their eligibility and pay for school meals from September 2026. You will be notified of the outcome of this recheck. 

North Somerset Schools

For those in a North Somerset School, anyone who was awarded FSMs over 2 years ago would have applied via an old system. Parents/Guardians will need to reapply via their North Somerset Citizen’s account as North Somerset Council no longer hold their personal details to contact them or reassess their eligibility. If parents/guardians do not reapply, their entitlement will finish at the end of this academic year.