Free school meals
Other food support and help
Contact our free-phone support line:
- Phone 01484 221928
Other help available with the cost of living
Who is eligible for free school meals, how to apply for them and what happens after you have applied.
Free school lunch for every child in infant school
All infant school pupils in state funded schools in England are eligible for a free school meal. Every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 can enjoy a hot, nutritious meal at lunch time. Everyone is entitled, regardless of circumstances and you don't need to apply. Speak to your child's school for more information.
Apply for free school meals
Children and young people can apply for free school meals if they:
- attend a Kirklees school
- attend school full time
- are of statutory school age
and their parents or carers receive one or more of the following:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit, but are not entitled to a Working Tax Credit and your annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) is less than £16,190
- Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Children in nursery should not use this form to apply. Please speak to your childcare provider for more information on early years funding.
How to apply for free school meals
Fill in our simple online form.
Clock Completing this form takes around 10 minutes.
Paperclip To complete this form you will need both you and your partner's National Insurance Number or NASS (National Asylum Support Service) number.
Apply for free school mealsAfter you've applied
We will contact your child's school to tell them the start date of your free school meal entitlement. We will also email you to inform you of the start date.
If you have had a recent change in circumstances, you will need to notify the DWP. This will need to be processed before we can assess your entitlement to free school meals.
Other school entitlements
If your child is in full time education, and you receive one or more of the benefits stated above, please fill in an application form even if your child is in Reception, year 1 or year 2.
This is because they are also entitled to things like free milk, help towards school trips and other support.
If you've filled in the application, your child's school receives additional money to be able to provide these extra things. This is called the pupil premium.
Contact free school meals
- Email freeschoolmeals@kirklees.gov.uk
- Phone 01484 221000