Free school meals are available for eligible students in Cambridgeshire, potentially saving families up to £495 per year per child.
 

Eligibility for Free School Meals

To qualify for free school meals in Cambridgeshire, families must meet certain criteria, primarily based on their income and benefits received. Here are the key points regarding eligibility:

• Income Thresholds: Families receiving specific benefits, such as Universal Credit with an annual net income of no more than £7,400, or other qualifying benefits, may be eligible for free school meals. 

• Age Range: The scheme is available for school-age children and post-16 students at schools with sixth forms or colleges. 

• Confidentiality: We implement systems to ensure that students receiving free meals are not publicly identified, maintaining privacy for those eligible. 

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, your child will qualify for free school meals if you get Universal Credit, regardless of household income. Use this checking service to see if this applies to your child https://fsm.lgfl.net/ 

However, this will not automatically trigger Pupil Premium Funding or HAF access for any household earning over £7400 per year and this is referred to as Expanded FSM

Benefits of Free School Meals

• Financial Savings: Families can save approximately £495 per year for each child eligible for free school meals, which covers the cost of meals during school hours. 
• Pupil Premium: When a child is registered for free school meals, their school receives additional funding known as Pupil Premium, which supports educational resources for students from lower-income families. 

For more detailed information on how to apply for free school meals and the specific benefits available, families are encouraged to visit the 
Cambridgeshire County Council website.