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Free school Meals is changing in September 2026: Here’s what you need to know.
Information on Free School Meals
Free School Meals help children get a healthy meal at school. Registering for Free School Meals (The Pupil Premium) also raises additional funding for your child’s primary or secondary school, paid by the government, which the Council can use to fund additional teaching staff, extra tuition and after school activities.
What is changing?
From 01 September 2026, England’s Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility is changing with more families becoming eligible for support.
From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, FSM eligibility will expand to include all children from households receiving Universal Credit who attend eligible schools. This removes the previous £7,400 income cap.
Eligibility: Households on Universal Credit earning £7,400 or less annually, alongside legacy benefits (e.g., income-related ESA, guarantee element of Pension Credit) and those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
Perks: Children qualify for the free meal, and their school receives additional Pupil Premium funding. It also enables access to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Expanded FSM (Universal Credit Extension)
Eligibility: Households on Universal Credit with earnings exceeding £7,400 per year.
Perks: Entitles the child to a free lunch but does not attract Pupil Premium funding or HAF programme access.
You may also qualify for free school meals for your child if:
You are an asylum seeker
You live outside Barking and Dagenham but meet the previous criteria and your child is attending a school in the borough
What happens if I already get Free School Meals?
Since 2018 if your child qualified for Free School Meals they kept the award if your circumstances changed. This will now stop on the 31 August 2026 and you may see changes to your Free School Meal award with some families no longer being eligible for a free meal if their circumstances have changed.
All current Free School Meals will automatically be re-checked in July each year and where still eligible, carried over and awarded for your child from 1st September each year.
This also includes any child moving from infants to junior or junior to secondary schools within the Local Authority area.
If you currently receive Free School Meals you do not need to re-apply unless it is for a different child who does not currently receive the award.
What should you do if you don’t get Free School Meals but think you might qualify?
Parents can check if they are eligible for Free School Meals here:
If you qualify for Free School Meals and are currently not in receipt of them or need to apply for a new child you will need to make an application online.
How do I apply?
An application for Free School Meals can be made here:
Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium: Information for parents and schools
Registering for Free School Meals (The Pupil Premium) raises additional funding for schools in the borough paid for by the government.
2026 to 2027 Funding Rates (The Pupil Premium)
The per-pupil rates for eligible students across mainstream, special, and alternative provision (AP) settings are as follows:
Eligible Pupil Category
Per-Pupil Rate
FSM Ever 6 (Reception to Year 6)
£1,550
FSM Ever 6 (Years 7 to 11)
£1,100
Looked-After Children (LAC)
£2,690
Previously Looked-After Children (PLAC)
£2,690
Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium
Primary School Pupils (Reception to Year 6)
Thanks to the ongoing London Mayor's Universal Scheme combined with national policies, all state primary school children automatically receive free hot lunches. You do not need to register just for your child to eat for free.
Why You Should Still Apply
If you meet the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (targeted) registering ensures your child's primary school receives thousands of pounds in Pupil Premium funding and grants your child free access to the Free Holiday Activity (HAF) programme.
Secondary School Pupils (Year 7 to Year 11)
Secondary school students are not covered by the Mayor’s primary school universal scheme. To get free meals, you must actively apply for them.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (targeted) registering ensures your child's secondary school receives thousands of pounds in Pupil Premium funding and grants your child free access to the Free Holiday Activity (HAF) programme.
Ever 6 FSM
Under the September 2026 guidelines if your child has been officially registered as eligible for Targeted (income-based) Free School Meals at any point in the last 6 years, their school will continue to receive Pupil Premium funding for them—even if your financial circumstances improve and they no longer qualify for the meals.
If your child was already flagged under the old pre-2026 FSM criteria, they are fully protected. They will remain part of the school's Ever 6 cohort for the remainder of their 6-year window, ensuring the school does not lose funding mid-cycle.
