Free School Meals

Information on who can get free school meals and how to apply.

If your child isn't registered for Free School Meals and you receive any of the following benefits, your child may be able to get free school meals:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, it is the Department for Education’s intention that all protections will be discontinued, alongside an extension to the eligibility criteria for free school meals. From this point, households must meet the eligibility criteria to be entitled to free school meals.

• Targeted Free School Meals: For families on Universal Credit earning £7,400 or less per year after tax. This tier qualifies students for extra support like Pupil Premium and holiday programs

• Expanded Free School Meals: For families on Universal Credit earning more than £7,400 per year. Students receive a free daily meal, though it doesn't include extra disadvantage funding metrics like Ever 6

Infant free school meals in England

Your child will be able to get free school meals, if they’re in a government-funded school and in:

• Reception class
• Year 1
• Year 2

Applying for Free School Meals is easy, you can: 

Only apply if your child currently has a Leicestershire school place – applications are not accepted in advance.

If you're ready to apply:

Apply online for free school meals

Please note: you will need to register for a portal account, if you don't already have one.

If you need help using the portal, please view help on the Leicestershire County Council website (scroll down to the bottom of the page)

Free school meals support services email : freeschoolmeals@leics.gov.uk