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Important Update: Free School Meals (FSM) Entitlement Changes from September 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Please be aware of recent changes to Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility, which took effect from the start of the 2026-27 academic year and may have implications for Children We Care For (CWCF), previously cared-for children, children in kinship care and other children known to our services. These changes are set out in updated Department for Education guidance published on 5 October 2026.  

Key points

  • Children We Care For are not automatically entitled to FSM simply because they are in care. Eligibility continues to be based on household circumstances and verified entitlement.  
  • Since September 2026, all children living in households receiving Universal Credit are eligible for FSM, regardless of household earnings. This is a significant expansion of entitlement.  
  • The DfE now distinguishes between:
    • Targeted FSM – Universal Credit households with annual earnings of £7,400 or less (or other qualifying benefit criteria).
    • Expanded FSM – Universal Credit households with annual earnings above £7,400.  
  • Children eligible for Targeted FSM receive free meals and attract pupil premium and other disadvantage-related funding. Children eligible for Expanded FSM receive free meals but do not automatically attract pupil premium funding.  
  • Transitional protections ended in July 2026. Schools and local authorities are now expected to undertake annual eligibility checks and families must continue to meet the relevant criteria to retain entitlement.  
  • Many foster carers and kinship carers may now qualify for FSM because of the expansion to all households receiving Universal Credit.  
  • Where a child is eligible for Pupil Premium Plus (CWCF and previously cared-for children), schools do not receive standard FSM pupil premium in addition, avoiding duplication of funding.

What this means in practice

Please do not assume that a child is either entitled or not entitled to FSM purely because they are a child in care. Where eligibility is unclear, carers and families should be encouraged to check entitlement through their school or local authority.

Given the recent changes, it may be helpful to revisit FSM eligibility with foster carers, kinship carers and other families who may not previously have qualified.

Further information is available in the DfE guidance: Free school meals: guidance for local authorities, local-authority-maintained schools, academies and free schools - GOV.UK

Please share this information with colleagues as appropriate.

Best wishes,

Clare Pike

Head of the Virtual School