Dear Colleagues,

This week  I wanted to inform you of the Free School Meals, (FSM), 2026/27 academic year changes.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 has extended eligibility to receive free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from the start of the 2026-27 academic year.  Last week the DfE issued its new guidance Free school meals: guidance for local authorities, local -authority-maintained schools, academies and free schools - GOV.UK. This guidance sets out the key changes and required actions for schools, a summary of which is set out below.

One key change is the requirement to recheck pupils’ eligibility annually, and before census day in October 2026.  I am pleased to be able to reassure you that the Online Free School Meals system used by Kent County Council will support this through automatic eligibility checks and annual re-checks.  Schools must still review these outcomes, ensure records are accurate, and act on any changes to pupil eligibility.

What’s Changing (from September 2026)

• Major expansion of eligibility: All pupils in households on Universal Credit (UC) will qualify for FSM.
• Transitional protections, which have been in place since 1 April 2018, end.
• Two categories of benefits related FSMs entitlement are created:
• Targeted FSM[1] (for those in receipt of UC with household earnings of £7,400 or less); and
• Expanded FSM (for those in receipt of UC with household earnings of more than £7,400).

The Online Free School Meal system used by KCC will show the two category statuses as ‘Eligible Expanded’ and ‘Eligible Targeted’.

Annual eligibility checks

• The DfE expects eligibility to be checked annually.  The guidance states that “Pupils will not attract FSM funding if they do not have a valid recheck ahead of the October census each year”.
• The first rechecks should happen in term 6 this summer, ready for the 2026-27 academic year, to enable parents to be informed before September 2026.
• The October 2026 census will record the new categories of FSM – Targeted and Expanded.
• Children that are protected until the end of the academic year, but no longer fit the eligibility criteria of these new statuses, will remain eligible until the end of the academic year.

If you use KCC’s Online Free School Meals system it will complete FSM re-checks automatically for you from 1 June 2026 in a staggered approach.  All existing eligible applications will be re-checked annually, automatically. Any new applications submitted moving forwards will have an annual re-check from the date of application.  For applications that have previously not been eligible, the existing process remains whereby these will be automatically re-checked for eligibility regularly.  If an application changes from eligible to not eligible, the parent / guardian and school will be notified (schools should make sure parents / guardians have received the notification).

Funding and disadvantage link

• Only Targeted FSM pupils will attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their schools, count in Ever 6, and qualify for linked benefits (i.e. access to HAF (Holiday Activity and Food Programme), and have extended rights related to home to school travel assistance).
• Pupils who stop being eligible for FSM when the transition protections end will still receive disadvantage funding through the pupil premium and the National Funding Formula, as they still form part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort.
• State funded schools and AP schools will receive funding via the FSM Expansion Grant.  The amount will be the difference in the school’s FSM numbers in October 2025 and October 2026 censuses.  For 2026/27 the rate is £295 per additional pupil (£505 pro-rated for 7 months – September to March).  The funding mechanism for school based nursery classes and maintained nursery schools is not yet known.
• Whilst Universal Infant FSM remain, as more children will be eligible for FSMs via the expanded FSM category, the DfE will adjust down schools’ provisional payment of UIFSM grant by 20% in 2026-27.  Further information is expected in June about the funding allocations.
• Plan for increased demand and capacity in FSM.
• Encourage families to apply for FSMs if they have not already made an application and believe they will be eligible.
• Ensure you check the Online Free School Meals system to obtain the re-checked status before the autumn term and new checks before census day.
• Ensure parents/guardians of child that had a protected status are aware this protection is ending and the new eligibility criteria will be effective from September 2026. This may mean some children currently in receipt of FSM will no longer be eligible.
• For children that have transferred to you from out of the county and eligibility was confirmed by their previous school, an existing application will not be on our system. A new application will need to be completed from 1 June in order to obtain the updated re-check status.

What Schools must do (Key Actions)

• Plan for increased demand and capacity in FSM.
• Encourage families to apply for FSMs if they have not already made an application and believe they will be eligible.
• Ensure you check the Online Free School Meals system to obtain the re-checked status before the autumn term and new checks before census day.
• Ensure parents/guardians of child that had a protected status are aware this protection is ending and the new eligibility criteria will be effective from September 2026. This may mean some children currently in receipt of FSM will no longer be eligible.
• For children that have transferred to you from out of the county and eligibility was confirmed by their previous school, an existing application will not be on our system. A new application will need to be completed from 1 June in order to obtain the updated re-check status.

Help and Support

If you require any help and support in relation to these changes, please e-mail freeschoolmeals@kent.gov.uk or call 0330 124 9995 (Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm).

Best wishes

David Adams
Interim Deputy Director