Free School Meals - Expanded Eligibility from September 2026
From September 2026, eligibility for Free School Meals is expanding to include all families receiving Universal Credit.
This means that many more children and young people may now qualify for free school meals.
Applications for the new entitlement cannot be made yet, but parents and carers will be able to apply during the summer holidays once North Somerset Council opens the application process. The council has advised families to check their website towards the end of July for confirmation that applications are open.
If you think your child may be eligible, please apply before the new school year begins.
If you have any questions or need help with your application, please email [E-Mail not displayed].
We encourage all eligible families to check whether they can apply, as this change is expected to benefit many more children across North Somerset.
