Free school meals

You can only apply online if you meet the low-income criteria. Schools should not use this service to check eligibility for Early Years Pupil Premium but should check via the Early Years Funding Portal.

If you wish to apply under the no recourse to public funds criteria a different application form applies

If you don’t meet the low-income criteria, your child can still get universal infant free school meals in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2. For this, contact your child’s school directly.

If your application cannot be confirmed at the time you apply, please do not contact us before 30 days after you applied, as we will carry out rechecks for you during that time and let you know if you are then found as eligible. 

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

If you already have a free school meal at one of the schools using our service, you do not need to re-apply for September as we will automatically check if your child is eligible as either a 'Targeted' or 'Expanded' free school meal.

Moving schools and free school meals

If your child is changing schools in September (for example, from primary to high school), and they already get free school meals you do not need to apply again. This applies if you are moving between Staffordshire schools (except those listed under “Do you deal with applications for all Staffordshire schools?”).

We will:

• Check your child’s eligibility under both the 'Targeted' and 'Expanded' criteria
• Move the claim to the new school automatically, if your child still qualifies

 Apply for free school meals

After completing an application you can print a copy of the confirmation page or take a screenshot to show to the school for meals to start immediately. If you are unable to do this 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 

We handle any personal data you give us securely and in line with data protection law.

What we collect

• Your child’s name, address and date of birth
• Current and previous school names
• Parent or guardian name, address and date of birth
• National Insurance number or asylum seeker number
• Details of benefits you claim
• Your email address

How we use your data

We use this information to process your child’s free school meals application and provide an alternative provision if necessary.

We keep your application for 6 years after it’s processed. After that, we destroy it securely.

Who we share your data with

We share your data with schools and other agencies so they can provide free school meals or alternative provision.

To check your entitlement, we share parent or guardian details (name, date of birth, National Insurance number or asylum seeker number) with the Department for Education’s Eligibility Checking Engine. This system also shares information with:

• Home Office
• Department for Work and Pensions
• HM Revenue and Customs

Keeping your details up to date

Please tell us if your details or your child’s details change.

Questions or concerns

Contact the Free School Meals Service if you have questions about how we use your information.

Read more about how we use your data in our privacy notice and your data pages.

Additional criteria: families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

Families with NRPF may also be eligible. Find out more and apply.