All children in reception class and years 1 and 2 are eligible for a free school meal. If your child is in year 3 or above, they will get a free school meal if you receive a qualifying benefit, and your child is:
- at school
- studying in further education
- at a sixth form college
The benefits that qualify children in year 3 and above for free school meals are:
- Universal Credit (if your annual net earned income is no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (if you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Applying for free school meals
If you think you meet the free school meals eligibility criteria, please call us at 0300 300 8306. When you call to apply for free school meals, please have the following information ready:
- National Insurance numbers and dates of birth for you and your partner
- dates of birth for your children
- your NASS number if you receive support from the National Asylum Support Service
Students in further education and sixth form
If your child is aged 16-18 and attends a further education or sixth form college, please contact the college for information about free school meals.
If your child attends a school sixth form, please contact us to apply.
When do free school meals start?
As soon as we confirm that you qualify, we will inform your child’s school that their free school meals can start from the date you apply.
Your child can then get a free school meal every day from the standard menu at the school’s canteen or cafeteria.
Reporting a change in circumstances
You are responsible for informing us about any changes in your circumstances that might affect your child’s free school meals, such as:
- you no longer wish to receive free school meals
- a new partner joins your household
- you move house
- your child changes their name
- you change your name
- another child reaches the qualifying age for free school meals
- your child goes into care
- your child changes schools
- your child moves between parents and/or guardians
If you are in any doubt, please contact us at 0300 300 8306. Failing to report a change in circumstances could result in stopping free school meals.
Help maximise your school's income
Schools receive extra funding called the pupil premium for children from families who receive a qualifying benefit for free school meals. This includes children in reception class and years 1 and 2 who are automatically eligible for a free school meal.
If your child is joining reception class, year 1, or year 2 and you receive a qualifying benefit for free school meals, please contact us at 0300 300 8306. We will only use the information you provide to increase the school’s income, and it will remain confidential.