Important Information -
You may be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) if you receive Universal Credit (with a net earned income below £7,400 per year) or certain other qualifying benefits, including Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance,
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), or support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Young people aged 16–18 who remain in school may also qualify if they receive Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance in their own right.
Families must inform the council of any changes to their income or circumstances, as this may affect FSM entitlement. However, if your child is currently receiving FSM, their award will continue until July 2026 regardless of any changes to household income.
Changes from September 2026 -
From September 2026, all children attending eligible schools whose households receive Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals.
There will be two FSM categories:
- Targeted FSM - for households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings of £7,400 or less. These pupils will continue to attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their school.
- Expanded FSM - for households receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400 per year. These pupils will receive Free School Meals but will not attract additional disadvantage funding.
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Pupils -
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal. If you receive a qualifying benefit, you should still apply for FSM as this may provide access to additional support, such as help with school trips, travel costs, school uniforms
and music lessons.
Please note that children are entitled to Free School Meals but are not required to take a school meal if they prefer not to.
Please note that applications must be made through the Bradford Council website via the email provided, you can find further information and submit your applications using the email on the link: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/benefits/applying-for-benefits/free-school-meals/
We would encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible to ensure your child’s entitlement is in place for the start of the new academic year.
Please see the image link to view the letter or click the button below to take you directly to the Bradford Council - Free School Meals link, then use the specified email to submit your application direct:
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Click here for link
Due to technical difficulties, the application form is still unavailable. As a temporary measure, please follow the link to the council website and use the email provided. We will accept an email containing the relevant information, as an application. To
apply, please email us at . In the email, you must include:
- ‘Free School Meal application’ as the subject line.
- Name(s) of child/ren you are applying for
- Name(s) of school(s) the child/ren attend
- Name(s) of parents/legal guardians
- Date(s) of birth of the parents/legal guardians
- National Insurance Number(s) of the parents/legal guardian/s
This email will be treated as an application for Free School Meals.
Thank you,
FM Catering Services.