Free School Meals

You may be entitled to receive assistance to pay for school meals for your child.

Important update:
Free school meal changes from September 2026

The Department for Education has announced changes to free school meals eligibility.

From September 2026, all households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals. This removes the current income threshold and means many more families may qualify.

If either parent/carer in your household receives Universal Credit, please complete our eligibility form by 17 July 2026 so checks can be completed ahead of September.

Please click here to complete our Eligibility Form June 2026

Further information:

Please click here to read our June 2026 letter for full details of the changes, eligibility checks and next steps.

Current free school meals information:

If you are the parent, foster parent, network family carer or guardian of children at school, and you are on a low income, you could be entitled to free school meals.

Children may be eligible for free school meals if their parents or carers receive any of the following benefits:

  • income support
  • income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • income based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190
  • the guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Universal Credit with an annual income of less than £7,400

If you get Working Tax Credit your child will not qualify for free school meals.

Please note: The Government has announced that from September 2026 all households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals. Please see the update above for further information.


To claim free school meals

If you live in Leeds and you already receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support contact Leeds City Council on 0113 222 4404 if you want to claim a free school meal for your child and they will notify us if you are entitled. If you live in Leeds and you do not already receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support you will need to apply online at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/council-tax-and-benefits/free-school-meals


Asylum seekers

If you are currently receiving National Asylum Seekers Support (NASS), you do not need to fill in a claim form for free school meals.

Please take your Home Office letter to your child’s school, and they will contact Welfare and Benefits on your behalf. The letter should confirm your:

  • name
  • date of birth
  • nine digit NASS Reference Number

(Source: Leeds City Council, Valid September 2020)