01/09/2025 - Permalink

Eligible parents urged to apply for free school meals

Related topics: Children's services

Shropshire Council is encouraging parents and carers eligible for free school meals to take up the offer for their children if they don’t already do so.

Free school meals are available to pupils who attend maintained schools, academies and free schools (state-funded schools), who are in receipt of – or whose parents or carers receive – certain benefits.

Further information can be found on the council’s website.

Andy Hall, Cabinet member for children and education, said:

“Parents and carers in Shropshire who are eligible for free school meals are urged to apply for the scheme and ensure that their children receive the support to which they are entitled.

“All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 are automatically entitled to have a free school meal, regardless of their family income through universal infant free school meals. However, some children in these year groups may also be eligible for benefits-related free school meals, which can bring additional benefits for both the pupil and the school.

“Free school meals can save families more than £495 a year per child, which breaks down to approximately £13 per week over an academic school year. These meals provide children with healthy and nutritious options that can boost their learning and wellbeing.”

The council’s Shropshire Local team will be available to help parents/carers access the online application for free school meals.

Free school meals are currently available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents/carers are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).

From the start of the 2026/27 school year (September 2026), the Department for Education (DfE) will introduce new eligibility criteria meaning that all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal. The DfE will release further information about the changes closer to that time.

Further information

No recourse to public funds (NRPF). The DfE has permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds. Further information regarding eligible groups and income thresholds can be found on Gov.UK website.  Parents and carers can contact the council’s free school meals team for details on how to apply under this criteria (Customer services: 0345 678 9008 or fsm@shropshire.gov.uk).