Who is Eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)?

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) are expanding Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings. Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:

• a claim for this support has been made
• their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority

Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit
• meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds

New Free School Meal Claims

Many families will become eligible for the first time under the expanded FSM criteria. Our online checking system is available to all families to check their child(rens) eligibility.

End of Transitional Protection

Transitional protections for free school meals have been in effect since 1 April 2018. This has meant that pupils becoming eligible for free meals under the benefits-based criteria have retained their entitlement, even if their household circumstances have changed. From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, transitional protections for free school meals will end. Households must meet the FSM eligibility criteria from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year to continue receiving provision.

 

How Do I Check for Free School Meal Eligibility?

We have partnered with LgfL to provide an online portal for parents to check their child(rens) Free School Meal eligibility. Parents & school will get a response regarding FSM eligibility after the check has been completed.

To complete an application, you will need to provide:

• Parental name and date of birth
• Contact details
• National Insurance Number or National Asylum Seekers Number
• Child’s name and date of birth
• School name: The Mayflower Primary school
• Local Authority: Essex

Parents can apply for Free School Meals via LGfL here   When you apply you will get an instant decision on your claim. The council will contact the school to confirm your child’s eligibility.

We can also check for you. Pop in to the school office and fill in a form. You will only need to complete the form once. Subsequent re-checks of your eligibility will be carried out annually to assess whether you continue to be eligible for Free School Meals.

Please contact the school office if you would like support with the application process.