Eligibility for free school meals
Eligibility criteria
The government sets the eligibility criteria for free meals. To find out more, visit Free school meals | East Sussex County Council. Please note, the criteria will change from the start of the 2026/27 school year to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit.
Children must attend school both before and after the lunch period to receive a free meal.
Some pupils who are over 16 may receive a qualifying benefit in their own right. If so, they will qualify to claim free school meals.
Refugee families are not automatically eligible and should apply.
Change of family circumstances
Since April 2018, pupils becoming eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria will continue to receive free meals until the end of the 2025/26 school year. This applies, regardless of any change in household circumstances, including an increase in earnings above the eligibility threshold.
From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, households must meet the eligibility criteria to be entitled to free school meals.
Schools Access Module (SAM)
Schools with access to SAM (excluding academies that process FSM applications) can view a child’s FSM status in SAM.
Please read the guidance free schools meals in SAM [969.7 KB] [pdf] about how to use SAM including how to generate your own report.
