Free School Meals

Do you think your child could be entitled to free school meals following a change in your circumstances, but you are unsure how to apply? 

Free school meal entitlement is not directly linked to your universal credit and must be applied for separately.

Families who receive certain benefits may be eligible for free school meals. Your child is eligible for free school meals if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (£616.67 per month). 

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

• Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190

All children in reception, years 1 and 2 would normally receive a free lunch whilst attending school, this is known as Universal Free School Meals. 

Did you know you are still able to apply for free school meals entitlement if you meet the above criteria, even when your child is already receiving universal free school meals? 

If you think your child is entitled to free school meals it only takes a few minutes to apply online by clicking below:

Click here to apply for free school meals 

Please note: It is the Lancashire Free School Meals team who make the decision about a child's eligibility and school meals will need to be paid for until a decision is reached. You will be notified by the Lancashire Pupil Access Team if your child is eligible. 

SIblings do not have an automatic entitlement if one of them is eligible, each child needs an application to be made.