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Free school meals (FSM): who's eligible?

Find out the eligibility criteria for free school meals (FSM), and learn about the transitional protections in place during the Universal Credit rollout period.

Last reviewed on 3 January 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 3930
Contents
  1. Eligibility criteria
  2. Transitional protections during Universal Credit rollout 
  3. Eligible nursery pupils can receive FSM
  4. FSM for eligible post-16 students
  5. Looked after children are not eligible for FSM
  6. Adopted pupils aren't automatically eligible
  7. FSM for children of asylum seekers
  8. How to check eligibility

Eligibility criteria

A child may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if their parents receive any of the following benefits:

Children may also get FSM if they receive any of these benefits directly, instead of through