Free school meals
If you get certain benefits, your child may be able to get free school meals.
Contents
How to apply
Nursery and primary schools
You do not need to apply for free school meals at nursery or primary schools.
If you get government benefits, let the school know as it can get extra funding through the pupil premium. Check the qualifying benefits.
Secondary schools
There are different rules for:
- benefits-related free secondary school meals
- our free healthy secondary school meals scheme
Benefits-related free school meals
We're trialling an opt-out process for children already registered at a school and entitled to free school meals.
This means you will not have to apply for your child's free meal. They will get it automatically.
We can check eligibility for free school meals through data sharing with the DWP.
When you claim certain benefits you give consent to claim additional benefits, like free school meals.
You'll be sent a letter explaining the process and giving you the option to opt out.
You should still let the school know if you get any of the qualifying benefits. The school can get extra funding through the pupil premium.
Starting a new school
You need to apply if:
- you get a qualifying benefit
- your child is not already registered at a school
To apply:
- contact your child's school for an application form (this may be called a 'pupil premium application form')
- complete and return it to the school
- the school will let you know the outcome
Our free healthy secondary school meal scheme
Applying for and getting Southwark free healthy secondary school meals does not affect any benefits or benefit claims.
You need to apply for our free healthy secondary school meal scheme through the school.
If you're claiming Universal Credit, but are over the £7,400 income threshold and do not qualify for benefits-related free school meals, you'll need to show one of the following:
- a recent bank statement showing a Universal Credit payment, or a screenshot of your logged-in account
- proof that you've applied for Universal Credit, like your reference number
- a letter showing you're moving to Universal Credit
You can only apply for benefits-related free school meals, or Southwark healthy free school meals. You are not entitled to both.