Qualifying for free school meals and school clothing vouchers
If you already get free school meals and clothing grants, you do not need to apply for each school year.
You can apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers together in one application.
Changes to eligibility from September 2026
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year, eligibility for free school meals has expanded. All children living in households that receive Universal Credit are now entitled to free school meals. This is regardless of household earnings.
The previous Universal Credit earnings limit of £7,400 no longer applies.
You must still apply for free school meals. Eligibility is not awarded automatically. It must be checked as part of the application process.
Who can get free school meals
Free school meals are available to eligible children attending:
- maintained schools
- academies
- free schools
- school-based nurseries
- maintained nursery schools
- non-maintained special schools
Free school meals are not available through:
- private nurseries
- most further education colleges (separate arrangements may apply for eligible students aged 16 to 18)
Universal infant free school meals
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 attending a government-funded school are entitled to a free school meal. This is regardless of family income.
If you receive one of the qualifying benefits listed below, you should still apply for free school meals. This may help your child's school receive more funding.
Eligibility based on benefits you receive
Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you receive one or more of the following:
- Universal Credit
- 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 are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on payments (paid for up to four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
The £7,400 Universal Credit threshold no longer applies from September 2026.
Eligibility based on benefits your child receives
Some children can receive free school meals if benefits are paid directly to them, rather than to a parent or guardian.
Any child receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance is entitled to free school meals.
Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
If you are subject to immigration control, you may not have access to public funds.
Some families with no recourse to public funds may still be eligible for free school meals. This includes, but is not limited to, families who are:
- Zambrano carers
- receiving support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 and subject to an NRPF condition
- Chen carers
- holding a British National (Overseas) passport
- spousal visa holders
- work visa holders
- student visa holders
- people with no immigration status
- people with the right to remain in the UK under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
- income and savings limits (NRPF applications only)
NRPF eligibility
To be eligible under NRPF rules, your household must meet the following criteria:
Savings
You must have less than £16,000 in savings, this includes bank accounts, shares and investments. It does not include the value of your home.
Income
Your income must meet one of the following:
- £22,700 or less per year for families outside London with one child
- £26,300 or less per year for families outside London with two or more children
This includes all income, support and earnings.
Contact us for advice if you think you may be eligible under NRPF rules
School clothing vouchers
From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals. This change does not apply to school clothing vouchers. They will remain available only to children who meet the targeted eligibility criteria.
Apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers
You apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers in one application.
Apply online using the Citizen Portal. You will need to register before you can apply.
Contact us for support if you cannot apply online
After you apply
If you apply online, you will receive an immediate response confirming whether you are eligible.
You do not need to apply again every year.
We carry out regular electronic checks to confirm ongoing eligibility.
We will only contact you if we need more information.
Tell us if your details or circumstances change
You must tell us if anything changes that could affect your claim, including:
- a change of name or address
- if you stop being the primary carer of the child or children
Where possible, update your details through the Citizen Portal.
Contact us if you cannot update your details online
If you have a child starting school for the first time
If another child is starting school for the first time, you must apply for that child, even if you already receive free school meals and clothing vouchers for other children.
This includes new starters in reception.
If your child changes school
You do not need to apply again if your child changes school.
Use the same application to list each child and the school they attend.
School meal vouchers during school holidays
If your child qualifies for free school meals, you may also be eligible for holiday meal vouchers, where funding is available.
Your child’s school will arrange vouchers.
Contact your child’s school directly if you have questions about holiday vouchers.
If your child has free school meals, you can find and book free children’s activities and events in the school holidays, get involved and become a HAF programme provider.
Find out more about the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme.
Contact us
Email: FSM.ClothingGrants@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 373 3300