We want to make families aware of some upcoming changes to Free School Meals (FSM), which may affect pupils from 1 September 2026.
What is changing?
On 8 May 2026, the Department for Education announced changes to how Free School Meals eligibility will work in future, linked to Universal Credit.
These changes will affect:
- Families who currently receive FSM.
- Families who may be eligible but are not currently claiming FSM.
Important change to current protection
Since April 2018, once a child became eligible for FSM, they have continued to receive them even if their family’s circumstances changed.
This protection will end at the end of the 2025–26 school year on 31 August 2026.
Checking eligibility (summer to autumn term)
Sheffield City Council will be checking free school meal eligibility for all pupils between the summer and autumn term 2026 (and regularly going forwards). This applies to:
- Pupils who currently receive FSM.
- Families who wish to apply for FSM for the first time.
Who may be eligible?
Targeted Free School Meals (with additional funding for schools)
Families may be eligible if they receive:
- Universal Credit with a household income of £7,400 a year or less.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Support as a family with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Expanded Free School Meals (meals only)
Families may also be eligible if they receive Universal Credit with a household income above £7,400.
How to apply
Families who are not currently receiving free school meals but think they may be eligible should apply online:
You can also:
- ask your child’s school to apply on your behalf, or
- contact Sheffield city Council, Customer Services Team at 0114 2734567 (option 4, option 3).
Please note that you do not need to apply if you are already receiving income-based free school meals in a Sheffield school – we will be in touch if anything has changed.
Further information
Sheffield City Council will provide further updates before September 2026.