Apply for free school meals
Free school meals are available for children in primary and secondary schools if their parents or guardians receive certain benefits (see eligibility criteria below). Through the Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 classes automatically receive free school meals but if you make an application for Free School Meals, school can access the appropriate funding.
Eligibility criteria
Any child may qualify for a free school meal if you receive one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit with an annual earnings threshold that does not exceed £7,400.
- Income Support.
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Child Tax Credit (provided a parent is not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190.
- Working Tax Credit run on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit.
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Children may also be eligible for additional benefits such as help with school uniform costs, holiday activities or travel to school.
Free School Meal Form
You can pick up an application form from school or print one off from this page. Please return the completed application form to the school.
Apply and allow us to check your eligibility
Free school meals application form (no paperwork required) (PDF) [35KB]
For this application you won’t need to supply proof of your eligibility as you give us permission to check the council’s and the Department for Education’s records on your behalf.
