Free School Meals Eligibility Changes
From September 2026, the Department for Education are expanding Free School Meals eligibility to 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
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
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
All current FSM eligibility is to be re-assessed in line with the above criteria. If the claim does not meet the criteria, the ability to claim a free school meal will expire and you will have been notified by the Local Authority and the school. From 1st September 2026, only families that have the above listed benefits will be eligible.
If your child is currently at Netherwood and in receipt of Free School Meals, eligibility re-assessment will be done automatically in line with the criteria described above. Your eligibility will continue from 1st September 2026, unless you are notified by the Local Authority that you are no longer eligible.
If your child attends Netherwood Academy and you have not applied for free school meals but think you may meet the criteria, please visit the Barnsley Council website to apply using the link below.