How to apply for free school meals
Any parents already claiming a free school meal do not need to reapply, this is the process for new applications.
Click here to apply: FSM Application Website
- Parents access the application via a link on your school’s website and complete the form online.
- Select the school their child attends. To help avoid incorrect selections, we’ve included each school’s full name and address.
- Parents can include multiple children on the same application, provided all listed children have the same parental responsibility arrangements. This is explained at the start of the application.
- We ask for a few details about each child (year group, date of birth, and home postcode). These are used to help match the child to their UPN. In some cases, we may not be able to confirm the UPN and may need to contact the school to verify.
- At the end of the application, parents are informed of the expected timescales. This remains unchanged: checks are completed weekly on Tuesdays, except during census weeks when checks are carried out daily.
- If a parent requires a quicker decision, we can carry out one-off checks. School staff can contact us directly with the parent’s details (NI or NASS number, surname, and date of birth).
- Once the check is complete, we will notify schools in the normal way of the outcome. Schools should continue to inform parents of the result, as per the current process.
- We will continue to do monthly rechecks of everyone not currently eligible to a free school meal.
Free School Meals
- Free school meals can save your household up to £418 a year per child.
- Pupil premium – Get £1300 for your child’s school to improve education.
- Your child is eligible for free school meals if you or your partner receive one of the qualifying benefits.
- When making your application you are also applying for the pupil premium for your child’s school
You will be entitled to apply for free school meals and/or pupil premium for your child if you or your partner receive one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (see Information on Eligibility Criteria)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- The guaranteed part of State Pension Credit
- Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit (providing you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by the Inland Revenue)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
