Applying for Free School Meals
Free School Meals Changes September 2026
From 1 September 2026, the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals have changed and more families will qualify. If you receive Universal Credit, your child may become eligible for free school meals even if you were not eligible before.
If your child previously received free school meals you must reapply to be reassessed, as all transitional protections have now ended. This means that some children may no longer automatically qualify.
Free school meals are available to pupils in full time education in a state funded school whose parent/carer receives a qualifying benefit.
Eligibility Criteria
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be £7,400 a year or less (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:
- younger than the compulsory age for starting school
- in full-time education
From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, your child will qualify for free school meals if you get Universal Credit, regardless of household income.
How to Apply
If you think the above applies to you, please complete an application via the London Borough of Bromley. You need to apply for means tested free school meals to the local authority where the school is based.
London Borough of Bromley - Free School Meals Application
If you have a query about an existing FSM status, please contact our Finance Team via the School Number: 0208 300 3156.