From September 2026, the government is changing how Free School Meals work. The good news is that more children will now qualify for a free lunch.

The biggest change is for families who get Universal Credit. Previously, you could only get free meals if your household income was under £7,400. This income limit has now been removed. If you receive Universal Credit, your child is now entitled to a free school meal, no matter how much you earn.

We encourage all eligible families to register, as this ensures that children can access their entitlement and helps the school receive additional funding to support teaching, learning and wider enrichment opportunities.

Whether you are applying for the first time under the new rules, or re-verifying your current claim, the process is quick and easy.

  1. Visit the portal: Go to the official GOV.UK Free School Meals Page.
  2. Enter your details: Enter your council area and follow the link to the local citizen portal.
  3. Notify the school: Once you receive your confirmation email, please forward a copy to the school office so we can update our registers immediately.

If you need any help with your application or do not have access to a computer, please visit the school office. Our team will be happy to help you complete the form in confidence.

Eligibility for Free School Meals

Families who receive certain benefits may be eligible for free school meals.

Your child is eligible for free school meals if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Meet the criteria set for families with no recourse to public funds

Why register?

Registering for free school meals is beneficial to both the pupil and the school.

By registering, you could also raise additional funds for the school to fund valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff or contribute to school trips.

If eligible, registering your child for free school meals ensures Norris Bank Primary School receives the additional funding – even if you choose not to take up the offer or are currently on universal free school meals.

For more information, visit Stockport Council’s Free School Meals page. See our School Lunches page for more information about meals at Norris Bank.