- Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility has changed. Due to these changes all parents and carers must reapply for FSMs over the 2026 summer term.
- If your child currently gets Free School Meals, please do reapply to ensure that they continue to do so. If parents/carers do not reapply, the children will not receive FSMs from September 2026 (unless they are in reception year 1 or year 2 and receive Universal infant free school meals).
- Many families who have not previously been eligible may now qualify for Free School Meals and additional support. Even if your child is currently in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and receives Universal Infant Free School Meals, we strongly encourage you to check if they are eligible for FSM.
- Eligibility can unlock additional funding and opportunities for both your child and the school. This may include support towards things like trips, extra-curricular activities and holiday activities.
- City of York Council, and the school treat, all claims made for FSM in confidence, and the school provides the same meals whether they’re paid for or provided free.
- Your child doesn’t have to take up a meal every day – you can still provide a ‘pack up’ as and when you want to.
- The process is quick, confidential and will help ensure that no family misses out on support to which they may be entitled. By asking every parent and carer to check if they are eligible and, if so, apply for FSM, we can ensure that all eligible children receive the funding and support available to them.
Free School Meal Eligibility Changes
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education are expanding Free School Meal eligibility to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, regardless of household earnings. Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:
- are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- receive the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds
A pupil is only eligible to receive a free school meal where both:
- a claim for this support has been made
- their eligibility has been verified by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority – in our case, CYC.
What Does This Mean for Naburn Families?
- If your child currently gets Free School Meals, you should re-apply to check they are still eligible and make sure that they continue to do so!
- If your child wasn’t eligible before, they may now be eligible under the expanded criteria – please check, and apply if they are!
How to Apply, or Re-apply, for Free School Meals
York City Council are asking all families who currently get Free School Meals to re-apply for FSM. If the claim does not meet the criteria, the ability to claim a free school meal will expire at the end of the current academic year and CYC will inform families who are no longer eligible.
If your child will be attending school in September and currently gets Free School Meals, or if you have not yet applied for free school meals but think you may meet the criteria, please click on the link here to apply: