Free School Meals versus Universal Infant Free School Meals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
There is a difference between Free School Meals (FSM) and Universal Infant Free School Meals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
On September 1, 2026, the government changed the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals as outlined below.
Your child will receive Free School Meals from Reception until the end of Year 2, regardless of your earnings.
However, if you receive any of the benefits listed below and you earn less than £7,400 per year, your child could qualify for Targeted Free School Meals.
This means that your child is also eligible for HAF - the Holiday Activities and Food Programme and our school could receive a grant of up to £1,500 per child, which brings valuable funds into the school and benefits our entire school community.
Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?
Free school meals in all West Sussex maintained and free schools and academies are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
· Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
· Income Support
· Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
· Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
· Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
· The guaranteed element of state Pension Credit
· Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more £16,190)
· Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
How to apply
It only takes few minutes to apply, so if you receive any of the benefits specified above, you can apply online using the following link https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/#how-to-apply
Once your application has been successfully processed, you will receive confirmation from West Sussex County Council.
School Holiday Food Vouchers
Pupils who are in receipt of Free School Meals also receive free school meal vouchers for each half term and termly holidays, currently to the value of £10.00 per pupil per week. These are available to spend at most supermarkets and are emailed directly to the recipient parent before each school holiday.
Eligibility must be granted by West Sussex County Council prior to school holidays, so if you think you might be eligible for Free School Meals in Reception, Year 1 and 2, please act fast to avoid missing out on your half term/holiday vouchers!
Click the link if you are eligible https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/#is-my-child-eligible to apply.
Universal Infant Free School Meals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 is a government scheme which provides a free meal for every child in Early Years Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Parents do not need to apply for this and the entitlement for each child automatically ends at the end of KS1, at the end of Year 2.
Targeted Free School Meals for children in Years 3 to 6
Under new government guidelines, parents / carers will have to re-apply for Free School Meals at the end of every school year. For households receiving any of the above benefits and earning under £7,400 per year, children can receive Targeted FSM, which entitles them for Free School Meals, access to the HAF programme and qualifies the school for a grant of £1,500 per pupil per year.
We kindly ask parents who qualify for Targeted FSM to please apply to the council using the above link.
Expanded Free School Meals for children in Years 3 to 6
Parents / carers receiving Universal Credit but earning more than £7,400 per year, are entitled to a Free School Meal only.
Please inform the school if you have qualified for either of the above as we will need to inform The Pantry of your change in status.