The Government operates a free school meal system to support children from lower income families. Pupil Premium is a funding scheme which allows schools to access additional funding linked to the number of children claiming free school meals (FSM). Please see the qualifying criteria below.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling they are in on 31 March 2022.
It is therefore vital that parents who qualify for FSM apply, even if they do not wish to take up the offer of a free school meal.
Qualifying Criteria for Free School Meals
The Education Act 1996 as amended, places a duty on maintained schools, academies and free schools to provide free school meals (FSM) to pupils of all ages that meet the criteria.
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit attending these schools will be entitled to receive a free meal.
There are 2 categories of benefits-based free school meals:
- Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing threshold, covering pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
- Expanded FSM, a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit
To complete an application you will need to provide:
- Your own name and date of birth
- Contact details
- National Insurance Number or National Asylum Seekers Number
- Child's name and date of birth
- School your child is attending/will attend
If you were in receipt of Free School Meals during the academic year of 2025/2026, you will need to re-submit your application to receive FSM for 2026/2027.
How to Apply for Free School Meals
You can register and find out if your child is eligible by visiting the following websites:
Information accessible online here.
Apply online here.
Please register with the portal, even if you have applied and been unsuccessful in the past. Milton Keynes Council will then have your contact details and can inform you straight away if your eligibility changes.
All applications for free school meals will be treated in the strictest confidence.
