--- title: "Free School Meals" url: "https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/free-school-meals" school: "Brookfields Primary School" --- # Free School Meals ### ![](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/images/d07d2b6b067ae9209f91986feaf6d065.jpg) ### **Free School Meals** **Important Information: Free School Meals Eligibility** **Changes from September 2026** From September 2026, the Government has expanded Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility. More children are now entitled to free meals, and we encourage eligible families to apply. **Who Is Eligible?** Children may qualify if their parent or carer receives: - Universal Credit - Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - The guarantee element of Pension Credit - Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - Support through No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) arrangements Eligibility must be confirmed before free meals can be awarded. **Two Types of Free School Meals** **Targeted FSM** Children from households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less. These pupils are eligible for free meals and attract additional school funding, including Pupil Premium. **Expanded FSM** Children from households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400. These pupils are entitled to free meals but do not attract the additional funding linked to Targeted FSM. **Important Changes** **Transitional protection has ended.** From September 2026, families must continue to meet the eligibility criteria to remain entitled to benefits-based FSM. **Annual eligibility checks are now required.** Schools and local authorities must review eligibility each year. Families may be asked to confirm details, re-apply or provide evidence of qualifying benefits. **Evidence Requirements** Applications will be checked through the Department for Education's verification system. If eligibility cannot be confirmed automatically, we may request evidence such as: - A recent Universal Credit statement - A benefits award letter - Other documentation requested by the school or local authority Providing evidence promptly will help avoid delays. **Why Apply?** Registering for FSM provides valuable support for families. Pupils eligible for Targeted FSM also help schools access additional funding to support learning, wellbeing and enrichment opportunities. **How to Apply** Apply online using the Create Partnership Trust FSM application system: 👉 [**Apply for Free School Meals**](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapply.cloudforedu.org.uk%2Fofsm%2Fcreatepartnership&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.hartland%40createpartnership.org.uk%7C0f14a86856d248d1ad6708df3a63c25a%7C8c3e1fdee07943aca2d74b84a337f8c7%7C0%7C0%7C639293872536950288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=r%2FHmr7sX7XdSxYmy%2F0BO%2BCMvrCBmRz4HhYkJyKtH6%2Fs%3D&reserved=0) Once submitted, your eligibility will be checked through the Department for Education's verification system. **Need Help?** If you are unsure whether you qualify or need help completing an application, please contact the school office on 0121 675 1897 or email **Further Information** For more information about Free School Meals eligibility and the changes introduced from September 2026, please visit the Government guidance: 🔗 [Free School Meals: Guidance for Schools and Local Authorities (GOV.UK)](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Ffree-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.hartland%40createpartnership.org.uk%7C0f14a86856d248d1ad6708df3a63c25a%7C8c3e1fdee07943aca2d74b84a337f8c7%7C0%7C0%7C639293872537004767%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yQfeRxr4aQlhAQHIu29Y6Udn0%2FkkxqBCENMTfb7wlrE%3D&reserved=0) [\[gov.uk\]](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Ffree-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.hartland%40createpartnership.org.uk%7C0f14a86856d248d1ad6708df3a63c25a%7C8c3e1fdee07943aca2d74b84a337f8c7%7C0%7C0%7C639293872537039397%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1b7eMUG%2B6EBiWOey1%2BrXM0CRhOErvcRHxVAj31an4cs%3D&reserved=0) You can also read the Department for Education's parent-friendly summary: 🔗 [Expanding Free School Meals: What Parents Need to Know](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feducationhub.blog.gov.uk%2F2025%2F06%2Fexpanding-free-school-meals-what-parents-need-to-know%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.hartland%40createpartnership.org.uk%7C0f14a86856d248d1ad6708df3a63c25a%7C8c3e1fdee07943aca2d74b84a337f8c7%7C0%7C0%7C639293872537058881%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xd4rBThCOZfg18AJSy%2Fc4z3L%2FNSfO9vsbnLDi47Bgkg%3D&reserved=0)[\[educationh...log.gov.uk\]](https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feducationhub.blog.gov.uk%2F2025%2F06%2Fexpanding-free-school-meals-what-parents-need-to-know%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cemily.hartland%40createpartnership.org.uk%7C0f14a86856d248d1ad6708df3a63c25a%7C8c3e1fdee07943aca2d74b84a337f8c7%7C0%7C0%7C639293872537076526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=aZmJelSgvFOMdcdpmzvogLle8rXEm7GPfTocdcvJaWs%3D&reserved=0) Letter re. changes to FSM eligibility for September 2026 136 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/brookfields-primary-school/files/documents/Brookfields_-_FSM_letter_030626.pdf) Free School Meal Form 102 KB [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/brookfields-primary-school/files/documents/Create_FSM_Form_June_2026(1).pdf) ### Parents - [Supporting your child with Special Educational Needs](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/supporting-your-child-with-special-educational-needs) - [Keeping Your Child Safe](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/keeping-your-child-safe) - [Free School Meals](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/free-school-meals) - [Uniform Information](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/uniform-information) - [School Dinners and Packed Lunches](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/school-dinners-and-packed-lunches) - [Late/Absence Procedures](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/late-absence-procedures) - [My child at school - MCAS Parent App](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/my-child-at-school-mcas-parent-app) - Marvellous Me - Now live! Please use your join up code! - [Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised - Phonics and Reading](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/little-wandle-letters-and-sounds-revised-phonics-and-reading) - [Supporting your Child's Mental Health and Well-Being](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/supporting-your-child-s-mental-health-and-well-being) - [Supporting Your Child's Learning](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/supporting-your-child-s-learning) - [Atom Learning](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/atom-learning) - [Parent View](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/parent-view) - [Useful Links](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/parents/useful-links) ![Brookfields Primary School](https://files.schudio.com/brookfields-primary-school/images/logo/logo(1)_(1).png) **Brookfields Primary School** 2 Hingeston Street Hockley Birmingham B18 6PU Tel: 0121 675 1897 © Copyright 2024–2026 Brookfields Primary School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://brookfields.bham.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)