From September 2026, the government is changing the rules for Free School Meals (FSM). These changes mean that more families will now qualify for support.

1. New Eligibility Rules – What is changing?

From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals, regardless of household income.

There are now two types of support:

Targeted Free School Meals

For families receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less.

Children in this group will:

• receive free school meals

• help the academy receive extra funding to support learning and wellbeing

Expanded Free School Meals

For families receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400.

Children in this group will:

• receive free school meals

Parents may still be able to apply for Free School Meals (FSM) if they receive certain qualifying benefits or support. Under the updated England guidance for 2026/27, eligibility can include:

• 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 only (without Working Tax Credit) with annual income below £16,190

• Working Tax Credit run-on (for 4 weeks after stopping work or reducing hours)

• Some families with “No Recourse to Public Funds” may also qualify in certain circumstances through local authority discretion.  Providing free school meals to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

 

Do I need to apply if my child currently has free school meals?  

Yes, all families who have previously had FSM need to complete a new eligibility check each year to make sure their child continues to receive meals. If your child currently has free school meals or is now entitled to free school meals under the new criteria you must make a new application.

Why do I need to reapply?

The government is ending the previous system that automatically continued Free School Meal eligibility.

What do I need to do?

For Wirral school applications, families can apply through the local authority FSM portal once the new Eligibility Checking Service opens on 1 June 2026. Rechecks and new applications need to be completed before the new school year begins. This ensures that all eligible pupils are ready to receive their meals from the first day of the 2026 to 2027 academic year. 

If you receive Universal Credit or any of the above benefits, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible after this date to make sure everything is in place for the new school year in September.

To complete the check, you will need:

• your surname

• your date of birth

• your National Insurance number

Applications can be completed through the Wirral Local Authority system.

Online FSM Application 

https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims-wirral

Need help?

If you need support completing the application or have any questions, please contact Co-op Academy Bebington school office - 0151 645 4154