We are aware that some families struggle with the costs of some activities in school, predominantly school trips. Financial support is available for the residents of Cockermouth and surrounding area from Cockermouth Relief in Need. Please see the letter attached for further application information.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be £7,400 a year or less (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

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.

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both: younger than the compulsory age for starting school in full-time education

---

Free School Meals - Specific information from September 2026

The Government are making national changes to how free school meals are provided from September 2026, and this may affect your child’s entitlement. 

What is Changing? 

From September 2026, all children whose families receive Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals. However, the system will now have two categories depending on household income. 

Types of Free School Meals 

Targeted Free School Meals: For families receiving Universal Credit with yearly household earnings of £7,400 or less. 

Children in this group will continue to receive additional support such as: 

- Access to Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) program

- Extended school transport support (where applicable) 

Expanded Free School Meals: For families receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400. 

Children in this group will still receive a free school meal each day. If your child currently accesses the extended right to school transport this will continue for the academic year 2026/27.

Changes to Existing Entitlement 

Since April 2018, transitional protection has meant that children kept their free school meals even if family circumstances changed. This protection will finish at the end of the 2025–2026 school year. 

From September 2026, all pupils will be reassessed and must meet the new eligibility criteria to continue receiving free school meals. 

What This Means for Your Child 

If your child currently receives a free school meal they will be reassessed before September. Your child will then fall into one of the following groups: 

- Continue to receive free school meals and additional support (Targeted FSM) 

- Continue to receive free school meals only (Expanded FSM) 

- No longer be eligible for free school meals 

If your child is no longer eligible, you will need to pay for school meals or provide a packed lunch from September 2026. 

If you believe that your child will become eligible from September 2026 you will be able to apply online or via the school office prior to September. The Government has provided the Council with new checking system that is not fully operation at the moment so we cannot take applications for the new criteria just yet. When we can accept new applications, we will update our website and let your school know.

What Happens Next?

The Council will begin reassessing all pupils who receive free school meals as soon as we can. At first, we will identify those who meet the Targeted FSM criteria. 

Once the new system is fully in place, we will write to you again to confirm your child’s updated eligibility status.

If you are making a new application for the expanded free school meal criteria we will let you and your child’s school know the outcome. Please provide a valid email address on your application.

If you feel you meet the targeted free school meals criteria now you can continue to apply via https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/schools-and-education/free-school-meals-clothing-vouchers-and-activities/free-school-meals-and-clothing-vouchers 

Further Information and Support

If you have general free school meals enquiries please contact fsm.clothinggrants@cumberland.gov.uk

If you would like further information on available cost of living support please visit; Cost of living support | Cumberland Council