IMPORTANT Changes to Free School Meals
Action required by 17th July
2026/27 Academic Year
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the DfE is expanding FSM eligibility to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings.
There are now two different types of eligibility for FSM – Targeted and Expanded FSM
Targeted FSM
Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less.
Expanded FSM
Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 will be entitled to expanded FSM.
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.
Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:
- Are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit.
- meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds
Why register?
Your child gets more than a free lunch. When you register, our school receives ‘Pupil Premium’ funding. This extra money allows us to provide things such as:
- Tutoring
- Music lessons
- Extra literacy support
What to do next?
Your child may be eligible under the new rules, therefore it is essential that all households, including those who currently are or have been in receipt of free school meals, should apply online using the link below, by 17th July to ensure support is in place for September. This will take you to an online form where you can enter your details which will enable a check to take place. You will need to enter your Name, Date of Birth and National Insurance details.
Apply Here: Online Free School Meal Checker
The school cannot award Free School Meals if a check isn’t completed by a parent/carer and Free School Meals will not continue into the 2026/27 academic year.
End of Transitional Protection
Transitional protections apply until the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year. All pupils eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria before the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year should continue to receive this entitlement until the end of that academic year.
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, transitional protections for free school meals will end. Households must meet the FSM eligibility criteria from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year to continue receiving provision.
Once a Decision Has Been Made
You will be contacted to confirm the outcome of your application.
If your child is not currently eligible, you do not need to keep reapplying. Applications are automatically rechecked every month.
Questions or Support
If you have any questions or need support with your application, please contact Cansfield High School: Email: enquiries@admin.cansfield.wigan.sch.uk Telephone: 01942 727391 Website: www.cansfield.wigan.sch.uk
Details of drop in sessions to follow
