Could your children qualify for free school meals?
23 June 2023
Updated: 9 June 2022
The cost of school meals and packed lunches can really add up, especially if you have more than one child at school.
But did you know, that, depending on your circumstances, if you're on certain benefits, including universal credit and child tax credit, your kids may be able to get free school meals during term time – as well as free support during the school holidays.
## Can my child get free school meals?
Younger children (reception to year two, roughly aged 4 to 7): Most of the youngest children in state schools automatically get free school meals. If you have a child in a state-funded infant school in England, you DON'T need to apply for free school meals. Infant free meals are automatically given to many of the youngest school children.
Older Children: If your child is too old to get free infant school meals automatically, you can apply for free school meals. You can do this for both primary and secondary school – and could even get free school meals for your children up to the age of 18 if they attend an eligible education institution – but BOTH of the following need to apply.
For your child to qualify for free school meals, you must get one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (you're eligible after you've got your first payment) and your household income after tax is less than £7,400 per year (not including any benefits you get)
- Child Tax Credit, as long as you are not getting Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of less than £16,190
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- The guaranteed part of Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Children aged between 16 and 18 who are getting Universal Credit in their own name can also get free school meals.
Not claiming any of the above but think you might be eligible? Check using a benefit calculator.
Children whose families have No Recourse to Public Funds can get Free School Meals if their annual household income is:
- Less than £22,700 for families with one child
- Less than £26,300 for families with two or more children
You'll need to provide proof of both your income & your immigration status to your child's school.
If your child is getting free school meals and your earnings change and mean they're no longer eligible, they'll still be able to get free school meals until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2023.
## I just lost my job and claimed Universal Credit. Will I be able to claim free school meals?
Most councils work out whether you can get free school meals based on your earnings in your previous assessment period for Universal Credit.
This can mean that councils aren't able to process your claim for free school meals until after you have received your first Universal Credit payment.
## How do I apply for free school meals?
You may need to apply for free school meals EVERY YEAR and you need to apply before the new school year starts in September. You need to get in touch with your local council to apply for free school meals. They may have their own application forms for you to fill in.
Not only will your child get a healthy meal, but you’ll also save money too!
Check out your eligibility and find your local council here
##Struggling to pay your rent?
If you are experiencing financial pressures and are struggling to pay your rent, please get in touch as soon as possible, as it's better to let us know now. We will work with you to find a solution that suits your circumstances and helps you keep on top of your rent payments, including:
- Affordable repayment plans
- Specialist advice on claiming benefits
- Advice to help you maximise your income and manage debt
Find out more about paying your rent help & support from our dedicated teams
Cost of Living information, maximising your income and support available
##IMPORTANT: Please note that Tax Credits are ending
As part of the Government’s plan to move everyone of working age currently on Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits and Income Support over to Universal Credit (UC) by the end of 2024 (known as UC Migration), Tax credits will be ending.
- It is important to complete your Tax Credit renewal before making the change to UC
- You will soon receive your UC Migration Notice Letter from the Government (from April 2023)
- When you get your UC migration letter you will have three months to act on it *SEEK ADVICE - Get advice so you know what is best for you.
Find out more about UC Migration and getting support
##Child on free school meals? You may be able to get free extra help over the holidays
Getting free school meals during term time means you also qualify for free extra help during the school holidays. It can include free meals, free activities and even free cash to help with your childcare costs.
You may be able to apply for council-run holiday and food clubs: If you're eligible for benefits-related free school meals (even if your child is too young to get them), they're also able to take part in the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) that takes place over the Summer, Easter, and Christmas holidays.
The HAF programme is designed to give children aged 4+ access to enriching activities, and at least one free meal a day. The actual content of the programme will vary council by council, but you should be able to choose from a range of activities.
As a minimum, each local authority must provide the equivalent of six weeks of support per year to all eligible children, but many councils offer more. This is split over each of the long school holidays. So, if you apply, you'll be able to get AT LEAST:
- Four days help over Easter.
- Four weeks help over summer (or three if your child's holiday is shorter than six weeks)
- Four days help over Christmas.
Access to HAF isn't automatic, you MUST APPLY each holiday! The way you do this varies by council. Some give your child a code at school which you can use to book activities with providers (this might be called a HAF code, or a Unique Booking Reference). Others have walk-in sessions, online booking portals, or small grants that you can use to pay providers for sessions.
Check how you'll need to apply by contacting your local council. You can find yours (and their website) using the government's 'Find your council' tool. Or you can search online for the name of your area, along with 'Holiday Food and Activities Programme.
Some councils have application deadlines, or limited spaces on some of the more popular activities programmes, so apply asap to make sure you don't miss out.
