Free School Meals
Free School Meals Eligibility - Key Changes
From September 2026 free school meal eligibility is changing which may mean more families can now receive support.
Currently, families claiming universal credit have to earn below a defined income level to be eligible for free school meals. From September 2026, the government is expanding eligibility and all universal credit families can now apply for a free school meal.
You may be eligible if your household receives universal credit, income support, income-based jobseekers allowance, pension credit, child tax credit on a low income, or working tax credit run on. If you’re not sure, it’s still worth checking, even if:
- your child currently has packed lunches
- your child already receives meals through Infant Free School Meals (Reception, Year 1 or Year 2)
- you have previously applied and were not eligible
- your circumstances have changed recently
Why it is important to register
Registering for free school meals can provide benefits beyond school lunches. Eligibility may also help our school access additional funding to support teaching, resources and pastoral care for your child and other students.
Please note that even if your child currently receives free school meals, the new rules means that parents and carers will need to reapply each academic year. Once approved, entitlement will be awarded for the full academic year, regardless of any changes in circumstances.
If you receive universal credit, you may also qualify for the targeted free school meals allowance, which means your child will also qualify for the Pupil Premium allowance, paid to schools to provide additional support and resources. Eligibility for this will now need to be checked every year, so it is very important to complete the registration process so that eligibility is recorded accurately and we can access any funding available to support students.
Applying for Free School Meals
If you think you are entitled to free school meals, you will need to apply for this entitlement (you can collect a form from the school office and we will perform the check for you) or apply on line using this link https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims.
This is an automatic process and St Wilfrid’s will be informed as soon as your application has been completed via the online portal.
Please contact the school office for further information on 0161 681 1385.
