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Free School Meals are changing

The protections in place since April 2018 will end over the summer holidays in 2026.

If you currently receive Free School Meals and have applied through Worcestershire:

• your eligibility will be checked again in the coming weeks
• if you applied online after 2022, you will receive the result by email, you will need to log into the portal to read the full message
• otherwise, your child’s school will contact you with the outcome

If you have not previously applied through Worcestershire, you will need to apply again. In some cases we will need additional information to recheck your application.

All checks will take place during the summer term and school holidays, ready for the new academic year starting September 2026.

Types of Free School Meals from 1 September 2026

There will be three types of Free School Meals:

1. Expanded Free School Meals

Applications open from mid-June for September.

This provides:

• term time meals only

You may qualify if:

• your child attends a state school
• you receive Universal Credit with a household income over £7,400 per year or over £616 per month for the last 3 months, after tax (excluding benefits) 

2. Targeted Free School Meals

This provides:

• term time meals
• Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme support
• possible travel assistance (if additional criteria are met)
• Pupil Premium funding for the school to support your child

Benefit-based eligibility

You may qualify if your child attends a state school and you receive:

• Universal Credit with household income under £7,400 per year or under £616 per month for the last 3 months after tax (excluding benefits)
• support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance

Immigration-based eligibility

You may also qualify under certain immigration conditions, including:

• Zambrano carers
• Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) with leave under Article 8
• Families supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 with NRPF
• Certain supported failed asylum seekers (Section 4)
• Chen carers
• BN(O) passport holders
• Spousal, work, or student visa holders
• Individuals with no immigration status

Financial criteria for immigration cases

• £22,700 annual income for families with 1 child
• £26,300 annual income for families with 2 or more children
• Savings must be under £16,000

Immigration Cases application form below

Additional note for Targeted Criteria

Children with a Worcestershire-issued EHCP in a specialist independent school or on an EOTAS plan may still qualify in the form of supermarket vouchers.

These can be issued where a school does not provide meals. Email freeschoolmeals@worcestershire.gov.uk once you know you are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals to sign up.

3. Universal Infant Free School Meals

This applies to families who don’t meet the criteria above and children in year groups:

• Reception
• Year 1
• Year 2

Provides:

• term time meals only

No application is needed. Speak directly to your child’s school.

How to apply

Apply directly through your school if your child attends:

• Bengeworth CE Academy
• Bretforton First School
• Carnforth School
• Hollymount School
• St George’s CE School, Kidderminster
• Stanley Road Primary School
• Woodrush High School

Apply online (all other schools)

Use the online portal:

Paper applications (NRPF families)

Download and complete a paper form and provide evidence of immigration status:

Application form for families with no recourse to public funds (Word)