Types of Free School Meals from 1 September 2026
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
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 [email protected] once you know you are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals to sign up.
To apply, either complete a form available from Reception, or submit an online application Free school meals