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Registering for free school meals - extra benefits

Registering for free school meals doesn’t mean your child will have to eat the school lunch - there are other benefits. Some schools and local authorities offer extra support to children who are registered - for instance, help with the cost of school trips or music lessons.

Schools also receive a payment, or Pupil Premium, for each child who is registered for free school meals - £488 for this school year and £600 next school year. This money helps them to provide extra support like extra tuition, learning assistants or after-school clubs.

Free school meals

Eligibility

You can apply for free school meals if you or your child receive 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 Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of £16,190 or less
  
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

How to apply

If you want to register for free school meals for your child, contact your local authority using the ‘Apply for free school lunches’ link below. Your child’s school can also help you to apply in confidence, if you prefer.

You may need to provide a letter to prove that you’re receiving one of these benefits - your local Jobcentre Plus should be able to help with this.

• Apply for free school lunches Opens new window

• Find your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

More on Directgov

• Nutrition and school lunches (parents section)