Free school meals

To apply for free school meals, you need to apply to your child's school directly. You will need to provide the following details, so your application can be assessed:

• your National Insurance number / NASS number (can be found on your benefit letters)
• your date of birth
• your surname
• your full address
• your child(ren)'s details.

If you have any questions about applying for free school meals, please contact your child's school directly.

If your child is in receipt of free school meals, you may also qualify for the Household Support Fund and our Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

Renewing a claim for free school meals

Your free school meals provider will contact you to confirm entitlement has started.

Your child will continue to receive free school meals for as long as your eligibility can be confirmed. 

Please note: We are unable to backdate claims for free school meals to cover unpaid dinner money, or to refund dinner money paid prior to the date of a successful application.

Changes to your benefit entitlement

Please contact your child's school immediately if your benefit changes or ends, as it may mean you no longer qualify for free school meals. If it is found that you did not notify us that you were no longer entitled to claim free school meals, you will be invoiced for the cost of all school meals taken free to which your child(ren) were not entitled.

Other help

• Benefit Helpline: 0345 300 3900 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and Saturday, 8am to 4pm)
• JobCentre Plus: 0800 0556688 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm)