Menu Starting Summer Term - Monday 13th April 2026 - Week 3

Free School Meals from September 2026

From September 2026, the rules for free school meals (FSM) are changing.

 Who can get free school meals

To qualify, your family must be getting Universal Credit.  There will be two types of support:

 Targeted free school meals

Your child can get this if your household:

• gets Universal Credit, and
• earns £7,400 a year or less

If your child qualifies, they will:

• get free school meals
• help their school receive extra funding (like pupil premium)

 Expanded free school meals (new)

Your child can get this if your household:

• gets Universal Credit, and
• earns more than £7,400 a year

If your child qualifies, they will:

• get free school meals
• not bring in extra funding for the school

Important changes

The current protection rules will end in July 2026.  This means children will not stay eligible automatically.  Checks will be carried out to see who still qualifies from September 2026

 What you should do next

Apply if your child does not already get free school meals.  Look out for updates from us or Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Please click the link below to apply for free school meals for each child:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-meals

Universal infant free school meals

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will still get free meals, no matter what your income is.

Even so, you should still apply if you might qualify, because it can:

• help your child keep free meals as they get older
• help your child’s school get extra funding (if eligible)