If you have kids, you’ll know that parenting is a pricey business. Sadly, waving goodbye to the children at the school gate doesn’t mean bidding a fond farewell to the expense! 

School lunches are usually just another cost on the long (and often expanding) list of things to fork out for. There are however a few exceptions that mean your child could be eligible for free school meals. You probably won’t be surprised to know that there isn’t a straightforward answer to this question – frustratingly, the rules regarding free school meals vary across the UK.

Whether or not your child is entitled to free school meals usually comes down to what, if any, benefits you receive. 

• In London, all primary school children up to the age of 11 at state-funded schools will automatically qualify for free school meals in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years.
• In Scotland, all children from primary one to five in state funded schools are eligible for free lunches.  

If your child isn’t in those year groups or goes to school in Northern Ireland or Wales, your child might still qualify for free school meals if you are claiming certain benefits such as Universal Credit and are on a low income. 

Depending on where you live in the UK your child may qualify for free school meals if they continue to study after the age of 16 in sixth form or a further education college. In England, colleges are required to provide a meal to qualifying students, but in other parts of the UK you may have to apply for separate funding to help with the costs of school meals.

Our guide to Financial support in further education tells you what support is available around the UK. Children who get paid qualifying benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Find out your eligibility for free school meals and how to apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How do I apply for free school meals?

The process for applying for free school meals varies from council to council. In some cases, you apply through your local authority and in others you might need to apply directly to the school – but your council website will tell you this. If you’re not sure of your local council, you can find them at GOV.UK.

Do I need to apply for free school meals every year?

You may need to re-apply for free school meals for your child every year. Check with your local authority.  

Can my child get free school meals if I’m on Universal Credit?

It depends. If you’re on Universal Credit, your child might be entitled to free school meals, but it also depends on how much you earn, and (surprise, surprise!) rules around the earnings threshold also depends on where you are in the UK.

So this is another one where you’ll need to check the government website where you live, using one of the links above.

Can my child get free school meals if I get Working Tax Credits?

No. Unfortunately, if you receive Working Tax Credits your child won’t qualify for free school meals. However, if you are receiving Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit) your child will usually be entitled.

Are foster children entitled to free school meals?

The rules around eligibility for free school meals work the same for carers and foster parents as they do for birth parents, so you can use the guidance and links provided above to check eligibility.

However, if you’re a foster parent who is paid an allowance, things are a little more complicated.

This is because the allowance is supposed to already include covering the cost of school meals. If this is your situation the best thing to do is speak to your local authority as you might want to come to some arrangement – e.g. that your foster child receives their free school meal, but that the part of the allowance for free school meals is not paid to you – or alternatively that you are paid the full allowance, but that your foster child does not receive free school meals.

What is provided in a free school meal?

Again, this will vary from council to council and children getting free school meals might not always get the same meals as those who pay in full.

If your child’s school has a cafeteria system, your child will usually get vouchers but systems vary from school to school. The good news is that England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all have mandatory standards for the food provided by schools, so your child’s school meal should be reasonably healthy – although you can find out more information from the school itself.

In some parts of the UK your child might also get free milk, in addition to their free school meal.

How much do school meals cost?

School lunches will usually cost between £2 and £3. If you’re not entitled to free school meals those costs can really add up, especially if you have multiple children. If you haven’t already, it might be worth considering sending your kids to school with a packed lunch instead (an oldie, but a goodie!).

It’s usually possible to pack a healthy lunchbox much more cheaply than paying for school dinners - especially if you buy ingredients that can go in the freezer. Change 4 life have some healthy lunchbox ideas if you’re not sure where to start.

If you’re struggling with the cost of bringing up a child, don’t forget we can help you to make sure you’re getting all the right benefits.

Can I get free school meals during the school holidays?

If your child is eligible for free school meals during term time they are likely to qualify for extra help during the school holidays. How this works and what you get depends on where you live in the UK, but it can include free meals, free activities and even free cash to help with your childcare costs. 

• England: if you're eligible for benefits-related free school meals they're also able to take part in the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) that takes place over the Summer, Easter, and Christmas holidays. What you can get varies by council, but at a minimum it includes one free meal a day. 
• Wales: councils supply vouchers, grants or packed lunches to those eligible for free school meals over the summer holidays but the support varies by area.  
• Scotland: Councils offer access to free meals to all those eligible for free school meals during term time
• Northern Ireland: Unfortunately the school holiday food grant ended on 31 March 2023 and has not been extended. 
• Some food banks also run holiday clubs to help parents with food over the school holidays. Find a food bank near you at the Trussell Trust site