Applying for Free Meals

Important information for your 2024-25 application for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance

Who is eligible?

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) 

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can apply if your son or daughter is in full-time education and if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits: 

• Income Support;

• Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance; 

• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance; 

• Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit;

• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income?of £16,190 or less; 

• Universal Credit and have net household earnings not exceeding £15,000 per year. 

Or: 

• if you are an Asylum Seeker supported by the Home Office Asylum Support Assessment Team (ASAT); or  

• if your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to require a special diet. 

What supporting documentation is required?

When applying, you will be asked to upload proof that you are receiving a qualifying benefit and this must include all pages of the relevant benefit: 

• Tax Credits Award Notice; 

• Your most recent Universal Credit Statement; or  

• Proof of Benefit letter (if you are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or the Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit). 

For more information see our Frequently Asked Questions and Videos and Guidance sections. 

How to Apply

1. You will need your National Insurance Number; your childrens’ names, dates of births and schools they will be attending; your address, email and telephone number; your bank or building society account number and sort code. 
2. You must register your email address and create an account for the 2024/25 school year before an application can be submitted even if you received Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance in the 2023/24 school year.? Please check your details carefully before you submit. 
3. The application must be made by the person receiving benefits who is named on the Proof of Benefit Letter / Tax Credits Award Notice / Universal Credit Statement. 
4. Please include in your application all children for whom you have parental responsibility and who will be attending full time at school or Regional/FE College as you will be unable to amend later.
5. We will review the information provided and will aim to inform you of our decision within 4 weeks, however in the peak processing period of June to September this can take up to 5 weeks. 
6. If you have not submitted the correct information, we will email you. Please check your email junk or spam folder. 

https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants/free-school-meals-uniform-grant-videos-and-guidance#section-19960

https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants/apply-for-free-school-meals-uniform-grants