Free school meals
Check if your child can get free school meals and find out what support your child may be entitled to.
Check if we process your application
We process free school meal applications for selected schools.
Check if your child’s school is included on our list.
If your child’s school is not on the list, contact the school directly to find out how to apply.
Who can get free school meals
From September 2026, there are two types of benefits-based free school meals.
Targeted eligibility
Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit and your annual household earnings are £7,400 or less.
Expanded eligibility
Your child may qualify if your household receives Universal Credit and your annual household earnings are more than £7,400.
Other benefits that may qualify
Your child may also be eligible if your household receives 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 guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you are 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
- No recourse to public funds
Universal free school meals for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically get free school meals, regardless of your income.
If you receive benefits and meet the criteria above, you should still apply for benefits-based free school meals.
If your child qualifies for targeted eligibility, their school will receive extra funding to support their education.
Apply for free school meals
Apply for free school meals if:
- your child’s school is on our list
- you receive a qualifying benefit