If your financial circumstances have changed, you may find that your child is eligible to receive free school meals.

Eligibility

From September 2025, eligibility depends on a parent or carer receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit (with a net annual income under £7,400), Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance, or specific circumstances like having no recourse to public funds. Transitional protection means children who become eligible before the end of the 2025/2026 school year can keep their free meals until then, even if their circumstances change. 

Qualifying Benefits

  • Universal Credit: Your household's net earnings must be less than £7,400 per year. 
  • 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 are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual gross income is £16,190 or less. 
  • Working Tax Credit run-on: You can receive free meals for the 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit. 

Other Eligibility Groups 

  • No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF): Some families with no recourse to public funds may be eligible.

Transitional Protection 

  • This protection extends until the end of the 2025/2026 school year.
  • If your child becomes eligible for free school meals during this period due to changes in their family's circumstances (like increased earnings), they will continue to receive them until the end of the 2025/2026 school year.

Apply online

You can apply online using this link:

Free school meals - Lancashire County Council

Apply by post

Download the application form:

Please return completed forms to:

PO Box 100
Pupil Access Team
Lancashire County Council
County Hall
Fishergate Hill
Preston PR1 0LD

If you are moving to Lancashire from another area you will need to make a new application.

Email address for West Lancashire (South): fsm.south@lancashire.gov.uk

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