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Original poster

To claim free school dinners?

40 replies

Eileen101 · 07/01/2026 09:47

The free school dinners expansion is coming in September 2026 and will mean that anyone receiving universal credit will get free school dinners for their children.

I've been looking forward to this as it will be helpful for my oldest who has aged out of the universal scheme for KS1 and my youngest who will age out of the universal scheme in Sept 27. It will save me a minimum of £30 per month, moving to approx £60 when they're both out of KS1 which is a real help in my budget. As a single parent there's not a lot of wiggle room and I was quite looking forward to it coming in in Sept 26.

However the school trust has announced financial difficulty and the teachers are striking over the the financial management and the central charges going to the trust.
I'm feeling guilty about the fact that my children will be eligible for FSM. Should I not claim them after all despite eligibility?

OP posts:
myglowupera · 07/01/2026 10:47

You shouldn’t be doubting yourself just because the school has some issues that aren’t your responsibility to think about.
With or without their problems, they will have to offer FSM to everyone who is entitled to them. And just because you can claim them, DOES mean you should!

CasperGutman · 07/01/2026 10:41

Claim them. Schools get more funding if they have a higher proportion of pupils claiming FSM. And I don't just mean to cover the cost of the meals, but additional funding for learning to offset the challenges that are assumed to exist in less affluent catchment areas.

yeesh · 07/01/2026 10:28

Of course you should claim it! You need to do what’s best for your kids and that extra money will come in handy for you.

BillieWiper · 07/01/2026 10:27

Yeah the school isn't paying for the meals out of its own pocket. Of course you should take it. The more kids on fsm the more funding the school could get, surely?

ThreeSixtyTwo · 07/01/2026 10:20

I'm not sure about the voting here.

YANBU to claim it - it's different budget.
YABU to feel guilty and co sider not claiming it.

napody · 07/01/2026 10:16

Octavia64 · 07/01/2026 09:51

Yeah the central charges to the trust are usually for very highly paid people who aren’t frontline.

claim fsm. You will be entitled to and it increases government funding for the school

This. It helps the school to claim it.

Crankyaboutfood · 07/01/2026 10:16

Eileen101 · 07/01/2026 09:47

The free school dinners expansion is coming in September 2026 and will mean that anyone receiving universal credit will get free school dinners for their children.

I've been looking forward to this as it will be helpful for my oldest who has aged out of the universal scheme for KS1 and my youngest who will age out of the universal scheme in Sept 27. It will save me a minimum of £30 per month, moving to approx £60 when they're both out of KS1 which is a real help in my budget. As a single parent there's not a lot of wiggle room and I was quite looking forward to it coming in in Sept 26.

However the school trust has announced financial difficulty and the teachers are striking over the the financial management and the central charges going to the trust.
I'm feeling guilty about the fact that my children will be eligible for FSM. Should I not claim them after all despite eligibility?

you claim what you are entitled to. You should not think twice about this.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/01/2026 10:14

It’s not the school giving you free meals, it’s the government, so take them if entitled

Allswellthatendswelll · 07/01/2026 10:13

MannersAreAll · 07/01/2026 09:53

Unless it's changed very recently it's actually good for schools finding wise if people who are entitled to school dinners claim them.

This! The school will want you to take them if entitled.

AnneLovesGilbert · 07/01/2026 10:01

Of course you should claim if you’re eligible.

MannersAreAll · 07/01/2026 09:53

Unless it's changed very recently it's actually good for schools finding wise if people who are entitled to school dinners claim them.

Octavia64 · 07/01/2026 09:51

Yeah the central charges to the trust are usually for very highly paid people who aren’t frontline.

claim fsm. You will be entitled to and it increases government funding for the school

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/01/2026 09:50

whatcanthematterbe81 · 07/01/2026 09:50

You’re entitled to it. Let the school deal with their own issues. But don’t the government pay for the free school meals anyway? Not the school. I’m in London so everyone gets free school meal but my understanding is that it’s funded, not a cost to the school

This.

whatcanthematterbe81 · 07/01/2026 09:50

You’re entitled to it. Let the school deal with their own issues. But don’t the government pay for the free school meals anyway? Not the school. I’m in London so everyone gets free school meal but my understanding is that it’s funded, not a cost to the school

FlowersInPots · 07/01/2026 09:49

Of course you should claim them. The more people that do the more the need becomes clear to the people who watch the numbers (am posting from Wales where all children in primary education are entitled to FSMs).