Free school meals
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school meals. This is funded by Mayor of London.
You still need to apply for free school meals if you get any eligible benefits.
We'll check each year that children still qualify for free school meals. Your school may ask you for more information if needed.
Who can apply?
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Asylum seeker support (part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999)
You may also be able to get free school meals if you:
- are in receipt of new style Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- receive the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- meet criteria set out for families with No Recourse to Public Funds
Children aged between 16 and 18 who are getting Universal Credit in their own name can also get free school meals.
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, please tell the school if you get any eligible benefits. The school may be able to get extra funding, called pupil premium, to help support your child’s education.
For more information on who can get free school meals see GOV.UK.
How to apply
You need to contact your child’s school.
You’ll be asked for the following information:
- your National Insurance number
- your surname
- your date of birth
- asylum seekers documentation, if this applies to you
Some schools have their own online portal to check eligibility. They will do this on your behalf.
What happens next
Your school will collect the information and send this to us.
We’ll check if your child can get free school meals and tell their school.
The school will let you know when your child’s free meals start.
Other help you can get
• your child may be able to get help with travel costs
• you may be able to get support get a Council Tax Reduction
• cost of living advice
