Universal Infant Free School Meals or Free School Meals?

Currently in the UK there are two different schemes running to support parents/carers. 

First, is the Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme (UIFSM). This scheme provides funding for ALL children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to access a free daily school meal. This is a national scheme and the school is funded based on the number of children who have a school meal on Census Day. We will write to parents in these years in advance of each termly census to ask for their support in ensuring we obtain the maximum funding.

Secondly, there is the Free School Meals funding based on individual family circumstances such as income and whether a family is receiving benefits. The qualifying benefits to receive free school meals for children in Year 3 and over are detailed on the Central Bedfordshire Website.

Auto-enrolment

Since September 2025, children who qualify for free school meals are automatically enrolled. This means you don’t need to apply, Central Bedfordshire Council use information they already have, such as your Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit details, to automatically process an application on your behalf.

If they believe your child is likely to be eligible, they will:

1. write to you to explain that they think your child may qualify
2. assess your application automatically unless you tell them not to
3. let you and your child’s school know the outcome

If they've written to you and you’re happy for them to assess your application automatically, you don’t need to do anything.

You will also receive support from the school in the form of trip subsidies. The school receives a grant each year known as Pupil Premium and this grant is based on the number of children who are in receipt of the means based Free School Meals. Please follow link below.  Alternatively, you can phone the school if you have any questions.