If you receive a qualifying benefit and you have a child in primary or secondary school, you may be able to get free school meals or school clothing grants for your child.
You should include all the children in your household on the application form even if they are currently below school age. If you are applying for free school meals but have no recourse to public funds, please complete a different form which you can find on our website.
Please visit our website for further information about eligibility - Apply for free school meals and other grants for school pupils (opens in new window)
Changes in Circumstances
You must tell us immediately in writing if, for example:
- You leave your present address
- You start or stop receiving Universal Credit
- You stop receiving the guaranteed part of Pension Credit
- Your child changes or leaves school
- There is another change that could affect your benefits.
These are just examples, not a complete list.
The transitional protection applied from 1 April 2018 to any child eligible to receive free school meals ends from the start of the new school year in September 2026.
If your child is currently in receipt of free school meals, we will automatically check your entitlement for the new school year during June or July. Therefore, you are not required to complete a form to renew an ongoing award except where a child has changed schools. You also need to complete an application if you have another child starting school.
Note: If you are over 18 and still attend school, you can claim for free school meals if you receive any of the qualifying incomes.