Free School Meals eligibility check: action by 21/08/26
Free School Meals are changing from September 2026, and more families may be able to get help. From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals. At the same time, the current transitional protection arrangements will end, so eligibility will need to be checked again to make sure children continue to receive the right support.
To help us confirm eligibility and make sure no child misses out, all parents and carers are encouraged to complete the short Free School Meals form, even if your child already receives a free meal or is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.
Please complete the form by 21/08/26. It only takes a few minutes, and you will need details such as your name, address, your child’s name and your National Insurance number.
The form also asks for permission for the local authority to carry out routine eligibility rechecks on an ongoing basis. This helps reduce the need for parents and carers to complete repeated checks and means your child can be picked up automatically if they become eligible at a future check.
Full details can be found in the above letter
Click this link to complete the Free School Meals eligibility checker
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