Free School Meals – Important Changes for September 2026

From the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, the rules for Free School Meals are changing for all families who receive Universal Credit. This change applies to every household, no matter what your income is.

The Government’s previous “transitional protections” allowed some children to stay on free school meals even if their circumstances changed. These protections will end in September 2026, which means every family must submit a new application. If you do not reapply, your child will no longer receive free school meals from the start of the new school year.

New Types of Eligibility

From September 2026, the Department for Education and Wigan Council will introduce two new categories:

  • Targeted FSM — For children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less.

  • Expanded FSM — For children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings above £7,400.

Your child’s eligibility will be reassessed under these new categories when you apply.

Why You Must Reapply

All families currently receiving free school meals, including those who qualified through transitional protections, must complete a new application. This ensures your child is assessed under the updated rules.

If you do not apply before September 2026, your child’s free school meal entitlement will stop.

How to Apply

You must complete a separate application for each child.

You will need:

  • Your name

  • Your date of birth

  • Your National Insurance number

You can apply online using the Wigan Council FSM Application Form.

If your family is classed as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), you should contact your child’s school directly instead of using the online form.

What is Pupil Premium?

The pupil premium is extra funding provided by the government to support your child’s education. It is usually available if your child qualifies for free school meals, which depends on you or your partner receiving certain benefits.

The funding is paid directly to your child’s school, where it is used to provide additional support. This can include help with the cost of school trips, extra teaching staff such as teaching assistants, and access to after-school activities and programmes.

Click here to access further information on the Wigan Council website.

Click here to apply for FSM online.