Free school meals (FSM)
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive certain benefits.
Free school meals can help save money and make sure your child has a healthy meal during the school day.
Who can apply for free school meals?
Your child may be eligible if you receive:
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Support as a family with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
To receive free school meals, your eligibility must be checked and confirmed by the school or the local authority.
Why should I apply?
If your child is eligible, they can receive:
- Free school meals
- Extra funding for their school (Pupil Premium)
- Access to some additional support schemes, such as holiday food and activity programmes
Even if your child already receives a free meal in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, it is still worth applying if you receive qualifying benefits, as this can help the school receive extra funding.
Schools that use our service
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Abbey Hill School and Performing Arts College |
Ash Green Primary Academy |
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Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy |
Christ Church CE Primary School |
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Co-op Academy Clarice Cliff |
Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams |
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Discovery Academy |
Eaton Park Academy |
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Excel Academy |
Greenways Primary Academy |
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Harpfield Primary Academy |
Hillside Primary School |
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Holden Lane Primary School |
Kingsland C. E. Academy |
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Manor Abbey |
Maple Court Academy |
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Merit Pupil Referral Unit |
Ormiston Horizon Academy |
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Ormiston Meridian Academy |
Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy |
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Packmoor Ormiston Academy |
Park Hall Academy |
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Portland School and Specialist College |
Sneyd Academy |
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St Joseph's College |
St Matthews Church of England Academy |
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St Paul's CofE (C) Primary School |
Star Academy |
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St Teresa's Catholic Academy |
Sutherland Primary Academy |
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The Avenue Trent Vale |
Trentham Academy |
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Weston Infant Academy |
Weston Junior Academy |
Please note: If you are looking to apply for a free school meal claim for a new school starting in September, please don't apply before Thursday 1 August.
Targeted Free School Meals (FSM)
Your child may qualify for Targeted Free School Meals if your household receives certain benefits.
Your child may be eligible if you receive:
- Universal Credit and your annual household earnings are £7,400 or less
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Support as a family with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
If your child is eligible, they can receive:
- Free school meals
- Extra funding for their school through Pupil Premium
- Access to some additional support, such as:
- Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes
- Some school travel support schemes
Expanded Free School Meals (FSM)
From September 2026, children in households receiving Universal Credit can get free school meals, regardless of household income. However, children in households earning more than £7,400 per year through Universal Credit will receive free meals only.
They will not qualify for the additional funding and support available through Targeted Free School Meals.
Free school meals for infants
All children in:
- Reception
- Year 1
- Year 2
can receive free school meals at a government-funded school.
If you receive any of the benefits listed in the who can apply section, please still complete the eligibility check. This helps your child's school receive additional funding to support pupils.
If your child's school uses Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Free School Meals service, you can check your eligibility online using the button below.
Please note: If you are looking to apply for a free school meal claim for a new school starting in September, please don't apply before Thursday 1 August.
More information about entitlement to free school meals is available here.