Whether your child is starting school for the first time in September or if you already have children on roll at school, you may not be aware whether you are entitled to claim Free School Meals.
Why it’s important to apply
Registering your child for Free School Meals ensures they receive all the support they are entitled to. It also:
- Provides your child with a free, healthy meal every school day, supporting their health, wellbeing and learning
- Means the school receives additional funds (called pupil premium) which can assist with purchasing additional resources and enrichment opportunities to aid achievement.
- May provide access to further support, such as help with trips or activities
Even if your child sometimes chooses packed lunches, registering still matters – they do not need to take a school meal if they do not want to.
Eligibility
There are two types of eligibility:
- Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less (includes free meals and additional support such as pupil premium).
Other educational entitlements such as the Holiday Activities and Food program (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance are also based on targeted FSM.
Families with no recourse to public funds may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria.
- Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of Universal Credit earning above £7,400. Pupils will receive FSM only. From the start of academic year 2026-2027, all children in households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to free school meals, regardless of household income.
Transitional Protections Have Now Ended
Since 2018, some children have continued to receive free school meals even if their family circumstances changed during the rollout of Universal Credit. This is referred to as transitional protections.
Now that entitlement has been expanded to all families on Universal Credit, these protections ended at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.
This means some children may no longer be eligible from the start of the 2026-2027 academic year if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit
How To Apply
From September 2026, the Government extended eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM), meaning that more families may now qualify for support, even if they have not previously been eligible.
- If you think you may be eligible, we strongly encourage you to submit an application
- You will need to apply if your child is not currently receiving free school meals and you are claiming Universal Credit.
- Applications are quick, confidential and securely processed
- Even if your child prefers a packed lunch, applying can still bring valuable benefits to both your child and the school
You can apply online or by post by contacting your Area Education Office (Lancashire County Council). For access to the application form, go to>> https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/free-school-meals/
How will the school know my child does not have to pay for school meals?
Lancashire County Council (LCC) will let us know that your child can have free school meals.
Eligible children will continue to receive FSM until the end of the academic year. At this point, you will be reassessed and your entitlement will continue if you still receive the qualifying benefits. It is your responsibility to keep your FSM claim up to date and it is important that you notify LCC of any changes.
How much is my child's daily allowance?
At Penwortham Priory Academy, the daily allowance is £3.00. This can be spent at break or lunch. Please note that any unspent allowance cannot be carried over to the next day.
Where can I get further information?
Please visit the Lancashire County Council website for up to date information.
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/free-school-meals/