Free School Meal Information
Dear Parent/Carer,
We would like to make you aware of important changes to Free School Meals (FSM) which will take effect from September 2026.
The Government has announced that from the start of the 2026/27 academic year, all children from households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to Free School Meals, regardless of household income.
This means that some families who have not previously qualified may now be eligible.
If you receive Universal Credit and your child is not currently registered for Free School Meals, we encourage you to check your eligibility and submit an application as soon as possible.
Families who currently receive Free School Meals may be asked to confirm or recheck their eligibility as part of the new arrangements for September 2026. You will receive notification from the benefits department regarding this.
If you think your child may be eligible, please visit the Cheshire West and Chester Council Free School Meals application page for further information