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Free school meals
Children can get free school meals if their family gets certain benefits. In England, from the 2026 to 2027 school year any family on Universal Credit qualifies, and all infants in reception to year 2 get them. In Scotland, all children in primary 1 to 5 at council schools get free lunches.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: apply for free school meals www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals | England |
| GOV.WALES: free school meals and help with school costs www.gov.wales/free-school-meals-get-help-school-costs | Wales |
| mygov.scot: free school meals www.mygov.scot/primary-school-meals | Scotland |
| nidirect: school meals www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/nutrition-and-school-meals | Northern Ireland |
Who handles it
Handled by your local council This procedure is done with the council where you live. Find your council »
Step by step
- Check if you get a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, income related ESA, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or asylum support.
- Apply through your local council (in Northern Ireland, through the Education Authority).
- If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 in England, they get meals anyway, but still tell the council if you get a qualifying benefit: the school can get extra funding.
- If you have no recourse to public funds, ask the school or council whether your child can still get them.
What you need
- Details of the benefit you get, for example your Universal Credit account.
- Your child's name, date of birth and school.
Common mistakes
- Not telling the council about your benefits because your infant already eats for free.
- Assuming you cannot apply because of your immigration status. Ask first.