Free School Meals

Is your child entitled to Free School Meals? 

The rules changed this September and a lot more families now qualify. If you get Universal Credit, your child can have a free school meal, whatever you earn. Applying takes about five minutes, and nobody here needs to know unless you tell us.

What has changed

Until this year, a household on Universal Credit had to be earning £7,400 a year or less. That cap has gone. From September 2026, every child in a household getting Universal Credit is entitled to a free school meal.

So if you were turned down before because you earned a little too much, please try again. The answer is very likely to be different this time.

Who qualifies

Your child can have free school meals if you receive any of these:

• Universal Credit, whatever your household earns
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• No recourse to public funds, where your income falls below the government threshold

Getting something else and not sure where you stand? Apply anyway. The council does the checking and it costs nothing to find out.

If your child is in: 

Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they will receive a free hot lunch every day, whatever you earn. Still worth registering if you get one of the benefits listed above as you may be entitled to more than just free lunches.

Why it is worth registering, even for infants

Every child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 already gets a free hot lunch. That is universal infant free school meals and it has nothing to do with what you earn. Plenty of families stop there and never register, which is a shame.

A registered child from one of the lowest income households brings £1,550 a year into school through pupil premium funding. We put it into various things such as extra support, small group teaching, and help with the cost of uniform, trips and clubs. Registering takes a few minutes and the benefit lasts all year.

How to apply

1. Fill in the form online.
   West Northamptonshire Council handles all applications. For a child in Year 3 to Year 6, use the junior application form. For a child in Reception to Year 2, use the infant application form.Further details can also be found here: West Northants FSM
2. Have a few details to hand.
   Your National Insurance number or NASS number, your date of birth, and your child’s full name and date of birth.
3. You get an answer straight away.
   The decision comes up on screen and lands in your inbox. There is no waiting around for a letter.
4. We take it from there.
   The council tells us within five working days. Your child starts on free meals as soon as that confirmation reaches the office.
5. Stuck? Ring us.
   Call the school office on 01327 351466 and we will sit down and do it with you. It stays between us.

One thing to know: the council rechecks eligibility once a year, usually before the October census. Keep your contact details up to date with us and it looks after itself.

If your child’s free meals stopped in August

While the old rules were being phased out, some children kept their free meals under what was called transitional protection. That protection ended in August 2026. If you are still on Universal Credit the new rules cover you, but you do need a current application on file. If your child’s meals stopped and you think that is wrong, please ring the office and we will chase it.

What lunchtime actually looks like

Same food, same service, same queue. Children choose from the menu on the day and no one is handed a different meal because of how their lunch is paid for. Most children have no idea who is on free meals and that is exactly how we like it.

And if money is tight

Please talk to us. Free school meals are one piece of help and there are others, from support with uniform to spreading the cost of a trip. A quiet word with the office or an email in is all it takes.ens in new tab)