Free school meals

Some children will be entitled to free school meals. Find out whether your child is eligible here.
Children whose parents receive the following support payments are entitled to receive free school meals:

  • 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 guarantee element of State Pension Credit

  • Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) that as of 6 April 2010 does not exceed £16,190.

Children who receive Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals.

To find out whether you are entitled to claim any benefits call our welfare benefits helpline on 0845 120 2985 or visit our welfare benefits (opens in a new window) pages.

How to apply

Contact your child's school for more details and a form to fill in. You can find the contact details for your child's school in our school names and addresses section.

Also on our website

Information on other websites

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