Is my child eligible?

Reception, Year 1, and Year 2:

All children in these year groups continue to receive Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) automatically. No application is required. However, if you receive any benefits that make you eligible for income‑related Free School Meals, you should still apply. This ensures the school receives additional Pupil Premium funding.

Year 3 and above (Income‑Related Free School Meals – FSM):

To qualify for free school meals, your child must receive one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (no Working Tax Credit) and an annual income of no more than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after eligibility ends)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit with annual net earned income of no more than £7,400

Transitional protections remain in place until the end of the 2025–26 school year, meaning pupils who become eligible under current criteria remain entitled even if circumstances change.

If you receive any of these benefits, please apply for free school meals. This will also ensure your child's school receives Pupil Premium funding.

How to apply

You can apply for free school meals through the Cambridgeshire County Council website:

👉 Apply for Free School Meals

If you need assistance or have questions, contact the Education Welfare Benefits Team:
📧 Email: ewb.fsm@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
📞 Phone: 01223 703 200

Pupil Premium Funding

Updated rates for the 2025–26 financial year are:

• £1,515 per eligible primary-aged pupil
• £1,075 per eligible secondary-aged pupil
• £2,630 per pupil who is looked after or previously looked after
• £2,630 per eligible service child

Even if your child receives UIFSM (Reception–Y2), you must apply for income‑related FSM to generate Pupil Premium funding for the school.

Additional Support: Holiday Voucher Scheme

Cambridgeshire will continue running its Holiday Voucher Scheme from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Eligible families receive supermarket vouchers worth:

Holiday Period	Voucher Amount
Easter – 2 weeks	£30
May Half Term – 1 week	£15
Summer – 5 weeks	£75
October Half Term – 1 week	£15
Christmas – 2 weeks	£30
February Half Term – 1 week	£15
Total (2025–26)	£180 per eligible child

Eligibility mirrors income‑related FSM. Children receiving UIFSM only (without meeting low‑income criteria) are not eligible.

Families eligible for FSM may also receive:

• Up to £165 in holiday vouchers between now and March 2026 (based on £15/week)
• An additional £110 payment via the Household Support Fund—totaling £275 available support

 

If you have questions about eligibility, applications, or support available, please contact the school office or visit the Cambridgeshire County Council website.