We are writing to inform you about upcoming Government changes to the way that Free Schools Meals (FSM) are funded.

Students are eligible for FSM if their parent/carer is receiving one of the following benefits:
• Income support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (where the family has an annual income of no more than £16,190 and the parent is not entitled to Working Tax Credit)
• Working Tax Credit four-week run-on (paid when this benefit stops)
• Universal Credit (where the family's household income must be less than £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits)

Currently, any student who receives FSM continues to do so until the end of Year 11. However, from the 1st April 2025, this protection will end.

My child already receives Free School Meals, are they affected? 

Students already receiving FSM before 1st April 2025, are not affected by this change and will continue to receive them until the end of Year 11, even if family circumstances change. If your child already has FSM funding, you do not need to reapply.

Up to 31st March 2025: Students receiving Free School Meals (FSM) will be entitled to them until the end of Year 11 regardless of whether family circumstances change.

From 1st April 1st 2025: If a student's eligibility for FSM changes, their funding will stop.

I think I am entitled to apply but haven’t before. What should I do? 

Any parents or carers who are eligible to apply for FSM funding before the 1st April deadline.

The process is simple: fill in this form: Free School Meals application pre-1st April 2025 (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3jZ1k5U1ImfXSfcHzzRPzC6BcmoiXDGaqa_kArWFCEjqDUg/viewform?usp=sharing) by the 26th March 2025, and we will ensure that the information gets processed by the 1st April. If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely
The Cottesloe School