All children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 get a free meal at lunchtime, under the government's Infant Free School Meals scheme. These are provided at all Bury Council maintained schools, academies, free schools, and pupil referral units.
You do not have to apply for these. But if your child is in a key stage 1 year group and you get one of the qualifying incomes shown below it will help the school if you make a claim for free school meals, as they can get extra funding.
Free school meals are available for pupils at local authority maintained primary and secondary schools, including academies. They are not available for children at private or independent schools.
They are also available for eligible households with:
- children at local authority maintained nurseries, providing they receive education before and after lunch
- students aged between 16 and 19 who go to Elms Bank Specialist Arts College sixth form
- students who receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseekers Allowance in their own right
End of transitional protection -
Temporary protections that allowed children to continue to receive free school meals without rechecking eligibility will stop at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
From September 2026, all families will need to meet the current eligibility rules to continue receiving free school meals.
1. Targeted Free School Meals
Available to children from households receiving Universal Credit and with annual earnings of £7,400 or less (excluding benefits).
Children eligible for Targeted FSM will also qualify for:
- Pupil Premium funding for their school
- Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
- Other support linked to FSM eligibility where applicable
2. Expanded Free School Meals
Available to children from households earning more than £7,400 but who are still in receipt of Universal Credit.
Children eligible for Expanded FSM will:
- Receive a free school meal
- Not qualify for Pupil Premium funding
- Not qualify for the HAF programme
- Not automatically qualify for other benefits linked specifically to Targeted FSM eligibility
If you are currently receiving FSMs, you do not need to take any action at this stage. We will check your eligibility and confirm if you will continue to qualify from September 2026.
You no longer have to submit an application for free school meals at this time.
Between July and August we will write to parents/carers of children who are entitled to Free Scholl Meals. The letter will explain the automatic enrolment process and provide the opportunity to opt out if you do not wish your child to receive Free School Meals.
If we do not receive an op out request, your child will be automatically enrolled and will be able to receive a Free School Meal.
The application form will be made available again from 24th August 2026 for families who become eligible after the confirmations have been issued.
There is no need to reclaim free school meals every year.
Changes you need to tell us about
Complete the free school meals change form if:
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you move address and/or
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your child changes school
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if you stop receiving Universal Credit, JSA, Income Support or Pension Credit.
You must only complete this form if you have previously completed a free school meals application and your circumstances have changed.
Free school meals change form is here!