Apply online

You can only apply online if you meet the low income criteria. Remember, you can only claim free school meals if your child is going to be in Reception year or above when the meals begin. 

You can still get universal infant free school meals for reception, year 1 and 2 children if you do not meet the low income criteria, but you need to contact your child's school directly about this.

If the school you wish to apply for is not listed, please contact the school directly.

Please note: If you are looking to apply for a free school meal to start from September 2021, please don't apply before 1 June 2021.

After completing an application you can print a copy of the confirmation page to give to the school for meals to start immediately. If you are unable to print you can still make your application online, but will need to wait for us to advise the school before you can start to receive the free school meals.  

Your data

Any personal data collected through your online application will be treated as confidential under the Data Protection Act 1998.

We will use the information submitted to determine initial and ongoing entitlement to free school meals and make an application for free school meals for the child(ren) named on the application form, and may be used for any other siblings who join Staffordshire schools at a later date.

Confirmation of entitlement to a free school meal will be advised to the school and may then be used for the purpose of determing entitlement to free school transport.

We use personal information about children and families to enable it to provide relevant services to them and to carry out specific functions for which it is responsible.

We will not use the data for any other purpose, nor will we share your data with any third parties other than the Department for Education.

For more detailed information please see our data information pages.