Free School Meals

Eligibility

From 1 September 2026 there will be two categories of eligibility for free school meals:

Targeted eligibility: this covers children in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. These children will attract pupil premium.

Expanded eligibility: this covers children who are in households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of more than £7,400. Children will be entitled to free school meals only.  This means they will not be eligible for pupil premium.

Anyone already awarded free school meals who is attending a Somerset school will automatically be rechecked to see if they still qualify. Anyone who no longer qualifies will stop receiving free school meals from September 2026.

Anyone joining the College from another Local Authority who is currently in receipt of free school meals will need to re-apply to Somerset Council.

Please phone Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224 for advice.

Apply for free school meals

You can apply for free school meals online using the following link

Somerset Council - Apply for Free School Meals The form will take approximately 3-4 minutes to complete.

Alternatively you can print a copy of the application form for free school meals, fill it in and send it to - Entitlements Team, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY

Free School Meals application form

 You do not need to send evidence with this application.  If the Council need evidence at a later stage, they will contact you.

 What happens next?

The Council will check your application and let you know the outcome, usually within 10 working days.  If you are eligible, the Council will tell you how to start receiving free school meals.