At Kates Hill Primary, we want every child to be well nourished, ready to learn and able to take part fully in school life. Free School Meals can make a real difference for families by providing a healthy, nutritious lunch each school day at no cost.
Changes from September 2026
From September 2026, Free School Meal eligibility in England will be expanded. All children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals, meaning many more families may qualify for support.
At the same time, previous protected Free School Meal arrangements will end. This means eligibility will be based on a family’s current circumstances rather than historic entitlement. For this reason, we strongly encourage all parents and carers to complete an application, even if they do not think they are currently eligible.
Why apply?
Free School Meals provide important support for children, families and schools. Applying can help your child access a healthy meal each day and may also help your school receive additional funding to provide extra resources, support and opportunities for pupils.
- A freshly prepared, nutritious meal each school day.
- Reduced household food costs.
- Additional support for children who become eligible in the future.
- Potential extra funding for schools through Pupil Premium.
- Access to other support that may be linked to Free School Meal eligibility.
How to check your eligibility
Parents and carers can check eligibility online using the LGfL Free School Meals Portal. The process is quick, secure and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Please visit: https://fsm.lgfl.net/app
Once you have completed an application, there is no need to reapply each year. Your details will remain securely on the system and eligibility will be checked automatically on a regular basis. If your circumstances change and your child becomes eligible, the school will be notified automatically so support can begin as soon as possible.
Apply even if you are unsure
Many families who do not currently receive Free School Meals may become eligible from September 2026. Completing an application now means your child’s eligibility can continue to be checked automatically, helping to make sure they do not miss out on support in the future.
Need help?
If you need any help completing the Free School Meals application, please contact us directly and we will be happy to support you.