Who is eligible for free school meals?

Parents receiving the following support payments are entitled to Free School Meals.

• Income Support (IS)
• Income Base Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)
• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or
• Child Tax Credit, provided they do not also receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by the Inland Revenue, that does not exceed £15 575
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.

Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.

Other benefits do not attract a free meal.

What age must my child be to receive free school meals?

Where eligible, free meals are available for full time pupils from "rising five" age onwards, including sixth-form pupils at schools. Meals are not available for students at Further Education or Tertiary Colleges.

Where can I get an application form?

Application forms for free school meals are available from your childs school or by telephoning 0845 155 1019.

Or Download the Application form (44KB - pdf help) or Free School Meals - Register Online*.

*Please note that although it is possible to apply online it is NOT possible to submit evidence this way. Evidence must still be sent via your child's school or directly to us by post. If it is not provided online applications cannot be authorised.