Free School Meal Entitlement and Application Process
Who can get free school meals
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 can get free school meals, whatever your income. From Year 3 only certain children can continue to get free school meals.
From 1 September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of household income. This applies to all children attending state-funded schools, nurseries and academies.
All families who receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits are encouarged to apply as soon as your child starts school, even if your child already receives universal infant free school meals.
There will be two categories of benefits-based free school meals:
Expanded free school meals
From September 2026, children in households receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400 per year may also qualify for free school meals.
If you have applied for Universal Credit, your child will only become eligible for free school meals when you receive your first Universal Credit payment.
Targeted free school meals
Your child may qualify for these if you receive:
- Universal Credit and your annual earnings are £7,400 or less. These pupils continue to get pupil premium funding for their school.
- the Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Support for families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) where eligibility criteria are met. Find out more on NRPF, below
Children who meet these criteria are also eligible for pupil premium funding.
Pupil premium is additional funding to support your child's education and potential. This is paid by the government to schools for every child who has (or has had) benefit-related free school meals.
How to apply
Online
This is the quickest, easiest and most environmentally friendly way to apply for free school meals (or register your child's eligibility).
Apply online for free school meals
By phone
Call us on 01225 477 277 (Option 4) to make a telephone registration. You will need to supply all of the details in Before you apply, above. If the lines are busy, please leave a message with your telephone number, and we will call you back to complete your registration.
By post
Download, print and complete the registration form available on BANES website and post it to:
Welfare Support & Benefits
Free School Meals
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Lewis House
Manvers Street
Bath BA1 1JG
Next steps
BANES aim to get in touch with you about your child's eligibility within 10 working days. However, during periods of high demand this may take longer.
If your child is confirmed as eligible, they will receive free school meals until the end of the academic year. We carry out annual eligibility reviews every July. If your circumstances change and your child is no longer eligible, free school meals will end at the start of the following academic year.
If your circumstances change
Please let BANES know if your circumstances change in any of the following ways:
- You have an additional child starting school
- You move house (please also tell the school)
If you have any other enquiries, please email freeschoolmeals@bathnes.gov.uk or telephone the free school meals helpline on 01225 477 277 (option 4).
