Eligibility and how to apply for Free School Meals

• From September 2014, all pupils in years R, 1 and 2 are entitled to school meals under the Government's Universal Free Meals policy.
• Parents of children in this age group are still encouraged to make an application for Free School Meals if they believe they meet the eligibility criteria. because this also generates the Pupil Premium, which gives schools additional funding.
• Parents of older children/young people may not have to pay for school lunches if they meet the eligibility criteria,  and this also generates the Pupil Premium which gives schools additional funding. 

Eligibility Criteria

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they are in at Summer 2023, this has been extended from 31st March 2022 and could be extended again.