Free school meals and clothing vouchers

When your child or children can claim free school meals and school clothing vouchers, apply for free school meals, what happens in holidays, how to add another child, report a change of address or circumstances and if you're subject to immigration control.

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.

Free school meals are available to statutory school aged children attending full time education.

Full time education means full days from 9am to 3pm, private nurseries and further education colleges are not included.

When you can apply

To be eligible for free school meals, your family's annual household income must be no higher than:

  • £22,700 for families outside of London with one child
  • £26,300 for families outside of London with two or more children

This includes any wider income or support you may be getting and any earnings from employment.

You must also have less than £16,000 in savings, including any shares, investments and bank accounts - but not including your home.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • 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, also your annual gross income is no more than £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit - if your household income is less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
  • children who get these benefits paid to them, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also claim free school meals.

Your child may also claim free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

  • younger than the compulsory age for starting school
  • in full-time education
  • free school meals are available to statutory school aged children attending full time education. Full time education is defined as full days from 9am to 3pm, this excludes private nurseries and further education colleges.

When not to apply

If you receive working tax credits you may not be eligible for free school meals or clothing grants.

To check please contact us.

Apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers

If you already get free school meals and school clothing grants you do not need to reapply for each school year.

Apply for free school meals and school clothing vouchers

Where possible all parents and guardians should apply online. You will need to register on the Citizen Portal to do this. If you apply online, you will receive an immediate response telling you if you are eligible or not. 

If you are unable to apply online, please contact the free school meals team using the contact details below

When another child starts school

Even if you are receiving free school meals and school clothing vouchers for your other children, you will need to apply for each child starting school for the first time, for example new starters in a reception class.

You will need to submit a new application for that child only, regardless of whether older siblings are in get free school meals.

Report a change

It is important that you tell the free school meal team of:

  • a change of personal details, for example name or address
  • if you stop being the primary carer of the child or children that you are claiming for

Report a change

If you can't update your details online, please let the team know by:

Call: 0300 373 3300
email: FSM.ClothingGrants@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Free school meal vouchers in holidays

If you have any questions about holiday vouchers, please speak to your child's school. 

Immigration control 

If you're subject to immigration control, you may be able to claim free school meals.

Families who may be eligible include (but are not limited to):

  • Zambrano carers
  • have the right to remain in the UK under Article 8 of the ECHR
  • receiving support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 AND are subject to a NRPF condition
  • Chen carers
  • families holding a BNO passport
  • spousal visa holders
  • work visa holders
  • student visa holder
  • people with no immigration status

Upcoming Universal Credit expansion

From September 2026, all households on Universal Credit, regardless of income, will qualify for free school meals as per Department Of Education guidance. Transitional protections for current claimants end after the 2025/2026 school year.

Contact us

Call us: 0300 373 3300
Email: FSM.ClothingGrants@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Write to:
Free School Meal and School Clothing Grants
South Lakeland House,
Lowther Street
Kendal,
LA9 4DQ