Apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers in one application, and check who can get help under the current rules.
Eligibility changes from the 2026 to 2027 school year
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year, the Department for Education (DfE) will introduce new eligibility rules for free school meals.
Under the new rules, children in households receiving one or more elements of Universal Credit will be entitled to a free school meal.
A new national application system is being introduced to support this change. The system is not available yet, so we cannot accept applications under the new rules at this time.
Children who already receive free school meals will continue to receive them until the end of the 2026 school year. Once the new system is available, we will begin reassessing current claims.
You can still apply now if your child is eligible under the current rules.
Who can get free school meals
Free school meals are available to statutory school‑aged children who attend full‑time education.
This does not include children in private nurseries or further education colleges.
Eligibility based on benefits you receive
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (if you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit (if your household income is less than £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits you get)
If you receive Working Tax Credit, you may not be eligible for free school meals or clothing vouchers.
Eligibility based on benefits your child receives
Some children can get free school meals if certain benefits are paid directly to them rather than to a parent or guardian.
Any child receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in their own right is also entitled to get free school meals.
Families with no recourse to public funds
If you are subject to immigration control, you may not have access to benefits.
Some families with no recourse to public funds may still be eligible for free school meals. This includes (but is not limited to) families who are:
- Zambrano carers
- receiving support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 and subject to a no recourse to public funds condition
- Chen carers
- holding a BNO passport
- spousal visa holders
- work visa holders
- student visa holders
- people with no immigration status
- people with the right to remain in the UK under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Income and savings limits for no recourse to public funds applications
To be eligible, your annual household income must be no higher than:
- £22,700 for families outside London with one child
- £26,300 for families outside London with two or more children
This includes any wider income or support you may be getting and any earnings from employment.
You must also have less than £16,000 in savings. This includes shares, investments and bank accounts, but does not include your home.
If you think you are eligible, contact us.
Telephone: 0300 373 3730
Apply for free school meals and clothing vouchers
You can apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers in one application.
Where possible, apply online using the Citizen Portal. You will need to register before you can apply.
Apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers
If you cannot apply online, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 373 3730
After you apply
If you apply online, you will receive an immediate response telling you if you are eligible for vouchers.
You do not need to apply again every year.
We carry out regular electronic checks to confirm that people claiming free school meals are still eligible. We will only contact you if we cannot confirm eligibility. If this happens, we will ask you for more information to support your application.
Tell us if your details or circumstance change
You must tell us if anything changes that could affect your claim. This includes:
- a change of personal details, such as your name or address
- if you stop being the primary carer of the child or children you are claiming for
Where possible, update your details through the Citizen Portal.
If you are cannot update your details online, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 373 3730
If you have a child starting school for the first time
If another child is starting school for the first time, you need to apply for that child even if you already receive free school meals and clothing vouchers for other children.
This applies, for example, to new starters in reception.
If your child changes school
You do not need to apply again if your child changes school.
Use the same application to list each child and the school they attend.
School meal vouchers in the school holidays
If you already qualify for free school meals, you will automatically receive a voucher during the school holidays.
Your school will buy the vouchers on your behalf.
If you have questions about holiday vouchers, speak to your child's school.