Free school meals

There are two schemes for free school meals:

• universal infant free school meals for all children in reception year, year 1 and year 2 – you don’t need to apply as they’re automatically given at the school
• free school meals for people on qualifying benefits – you’ll need to apply for these

If you claim qualifying benefits and your child is entitled to universal infant school meals, you should still apply for free school meals so:

• you’re eligible for other financial assistance for items such as school trips

• the school can receive funding for the free school meals

Your child will be entitled to free school meals if you get any of these benefits:

• income support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit with annual take home pay/met earnings below £7,400 (which equals £616.67 per month) benefits not included

Please note that free school meals entitlement is for the child, not the family. You can apply for free school meals when your child starts school.

If your child was eligible to free school meals in another council area, and now due to start at a North Somerset school. You will need to apply on our system.

You will need your National insurance number to apply.

If your application isn’t successful, check your personal details such as your National Insurance number and try again. 

If this doesn’t work, please check you meet the criteria and email in your benefits award notice with full breakdown.  

Please reapply when your child moves from primary school to secondary school, and from secondary school to sixth form.

Free School Meals entitlements will be automatically reviewed every term and your entitlement will be cancelled when you no longer meet the criteria.

Children do not receive free school meals in college.

If your child has free school meals at a school outside of North Somerset and they are changing to a North Somerset school, you will need to reapply on our system.