Free School Meals

How to Apply.

Is your child starting or moving schools in September 2020? If you already already receive housing benefit or council tax support, or have recently applied, you don't have to do anything. If you don't receive housing benefit or council tax support, you need to apply for free school meals.

Apply >

All Other Children.

Teacher and boy using iPad

The same rules apply as for those starting school, or moving school:

if you already receive housing benefit or council tax support, your income related free school meals will be given automatically and you don’t need to apply

if you have already applied for help with school uniforms, we will look at the free school meals at the same time and you don’t need to apply separately

if you don't receive housing benefit or council tax support, you need to apply for free school meals

When your child gets free school meals, the school will also benefit with additional funding to use in the school to help your child’s learning.

Income Related Free School Meals.

Income related free school meals can be given to your child in any year at school. This includes nursery children if they attend before and after lunch at a local authority nursery school or nursery class. If you get any of the benefits below, you can claim free school meals.

Income Support

Jobseeker's Allowance Income based

Employment Support Allowance Income related

Support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Guaranteed Pension Credit

Universal Credit - your earned income must be less than £7,400 a year

If your child gets free school meals they may continue until March 2022.

Child Tax Credit - as long as your letter shows you have an income of less than £16,190 and do not get Working Tax Credit