From 1 September 2026, the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals have changed and more families will qualify. If you receive Universal Credit, your child may become eligible for free school meals even if you were not eligible before.
If your child previously received free school meals you must reapply to be reassessed, as all transitional protections have now ended. This means that some children may no longer automatically qualify.
Free school meals are available to pupils in full time education in a state funded school whose parent/carer receives a qualifying benefit.
You will not be entitled to claim free school meals if your child is attending part time nursery or pre-school provision, is home educated or attends a fee-paying independent/private school.
Once we have received your application your details will be checked via the Department for Education Eligibility Checking Engine. We aim to process all applications within 15 working days of receipt, and we will notify you and the school of the outcome in writing.
Please be advised that May-October are extremely busy times for applications, and it may take longer than 15 working days to complete.
Use of your personal data
The London Borough of Bromley may use your personal data without your specific consent to provide you with one or more council services, and to comply with the council’s statutory and legal obligations. Information about how the council uses and protects personal data and about personal data rights is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/privacy
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