Free School Meals

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get 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 and have an annual gross income of 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 you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
​If you need support getting food
  • Find out about local food distribution offers via the Local Offer and the Food Partnership. This includes shops that can provide support with collection and delivery, food banks, and places that provide hot meals. Link to Local Offer. Link to Food Partnership information on food aid webpage.
  • Check if you are eligible to get help from the council’s Resident Support Scheme. This is designed to help residents who are either in or at risk of being in crisis or need immediate help and have no financial support available to them. Link to information about Resident Support Scheme.
  • Check if you are eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment. If you are required to self-isolate by law, you may be eligible for a support payment. Link to information about Test and Trace Support Payment.
  • Check if you are eligible for Healthy Start Vouchers. Eligible parents (under-18 and pregnant or over-18 and at least ten weeks pregnant, or have children under-four, and are in receipt of certain benefits) are entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers every week. These can be spent on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins. Link to more information on the Healthy Start Voucher process.
  • If you have tried the above suggestions but still need help with food, call the council’s helpline on 020 7364 3030. Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.