Free School Meals

Free School Meals

There are two free school meal schemes – universal infant free school meals and income related free school meals.

Universal infant free school meals
If your child is in Reception Class, Year 1 or Year 2 (Key Stage 1) they are entitled to free school meals regardless of your income.

How to apply
There is no need to complete an application form. However, we urge those parents who do receive a qualifying benefit to make a formal application as this will allow the school to claim additional funding (pupil premium) for new equipment and resources. You can do this online.

Income related free school meals.

If you receive any of the following benefits you can claim free school meals.  

  • Income Support
  • Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income related Employment Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit  – as long as you have a yearly household income of less than £16,190 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) and do not get Working Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Universal Credit.

How to claim
The application process below is for Liverpool City Council area residents only. If you live outside Liverpool you must claim via your own local authority, even if your child attends a Liverpool school.

The online application form checks whether your child is eligible and gives you an instant answer. If you already receive free school meals and wish to register another child then please contact us instead of completing the form again.

Note: Foster parents already receive funding and are not eligible for free school meals.
Note: If you claim Universal Credit do not apply online. Download a paper application form and return to: Revenues and Benefits Service, Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool, L3 1AH.

Apply online 

Please speak to Mr Delaney or Ms Christopherson if you have any questions and they will be happy to help.