Free School Meals and Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium
Want to help your child’s school receive more money to support their learning?
Did you know that just registering your child for free school meals means that the school gets extra money? Apply now to make sure that the school doesn’t miss out as the Government is giving money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best. This funding is called Pupil Premium and can be in excess of £1,000 for free school meal claimants and more for Children Looked After. Schools can also claim pupil premium funding for children in service families as well as those those previously looked after children.
The GOV.UK website has information about how much pupil premium funding schools receive, how they should spend it and how they are held to account.
Free School Meals
Expanding free school meals eligibility
From September 2026 all households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of household income, will qualify for free school meals.
Who should apply
If you receive Universal Credit and your child is not getting free school meals, apply by filling in the online form.
If you have already applied for free school meals and your child has been confirmed as eligible, you do not need to apply again. We will recheck your claim annually and tell your child’s school before the start of the new September term.
Expanded free school meals
Families receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400.
Targeted free school meals
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Universal Credit with yearly household earnings of £7,400 or less.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guarantee element of Pension Credit
Ending transitional protections
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.
Transitional protections apply until the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year. All pupils eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria before the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year should continue to receive this entitlement until the end of that academic year.
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.
Apply for Free School Meals
First, check if you receive any of the benefits listed above (it isn’t just if you are unemployed so please check the list). If you qualify, please continue to apply using one of the following options – please note the school cannot assess your eligibility or process your claim.
*It must be the person claiming the benefit that applies*
| Apply Online: –CLICK HERE TO CLAIM ONLINE | Apply via Lancashire County Council’s website – click the link opposite. |
| Apply by Phone: –
01772 531809 |
Please call, even If you have not claimed for free school meals before. A quick call to the Local Area Education Office will let you know.You will need to provide your name, date of birth and national insurance number. They will confirm whether you are entitled immediately over the telephone. |
| Apply by Post: –South Area Education Office, Level 1, Christ Church Precinct, County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ. | Download, print and complete the application form on the LCC Website here and send it to |
Any queries, contact the number above or email fsm.south@lancashire.gov.uk.
Changes to your Application/Eligibility
You should always let the Local Area Education Office know if any of your personal details change, and/or
- you have changed address
If you are moving to Lancashire from another area you’ll need to make a new application. If your eligibility is protected but your circumstances have changed your application may be refused. If this happens contact your area education office to let us know and we will tell the new school and ensure your eligibility is protected.
- your child has changed schools
If your child is moving to another school in Lancashire, you do not need to reapply for free school meals. Just contact your area education office to let them know. They will tell the new school if your child is eligible for free school meals.
Other Ways You May Be Eligible for Free School Meals
Children who get paid benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
From April 2022, children whose families have No Recourse to Public Funds can get free school meals if their annual income is:
- Less than £22,700 for families outside London with one child
- Less than £31,200 for families in London with one child
- Less than £26,300 for families outside London with two or more children
- Less than £34,800 for families in London with two or more children
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