Free school meals and pupil premium eligibility for school aged children

There are two types of free school meal entitlement:

Targeted free school meals are for children in households receiving Universal Credit with net annual earnings of £7,400 or less

If your child qualifies for Targeted Free School Meals.

They will:

receive free school meals
enable their school to receive additional funding through the Pupil Premium Grant

Pupil Premium funding helps schools provide extra support, resources and opportunities for eligible pupils.

Expanded free school meals are for children in households receiving Universal Credit whose annual net earnings exceed the standard £7,400 threshold. The expanded entitlement does not generate Pupil Premium funding for their school.

We encourage all parents and carers receiving qualifying benefits to complete this form so that we can identify whether children are eligible for Targeted or Expanded Free School Meals and ensure schools receive all available funding.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2

All children in the above year groups automatically receive free school meals through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme without the need to make an application.

However, if you receive one of the qualifying benefits listed below, we still encourage you to complete this form so we can determine whether your child qualifies for Targeted Free School Meals and whether their school can receive Pupil Premium funding.

Children in Year 3 to Year 11

Please complete this form to check whether they are eligible for Targeted or Expanded Free School Meals.

If eligible, your child will receive free school meals. Children eligible for Targeted Free School Meals will also generate Pupil Premium funding for their school.

Students in Year 12 and Year 13

Students attending a school sixth form may be eligible for free school meals if they meet the qualifying criteria and started their study programme before the age of 18.

If you are applying for a student in Year 12 or Year 13, please complete this form so that we can assess their eligibility. Please note that while eligible sixth form students can receive free school meals, they do not generate Pupil Premium funding.

Benefits that qualify

You may qualify if you receive one of the following benefits:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Child Tax Credit only, with a household income of £16,190 or less and not receiving Working Tax Credit
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
Support provided under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Universal Credit

Check eligibility and apply

Help with food essentials

Household Support Fund grocery vouchers are no longer available. The scheme ended in March 2026 following a central government decision. Families needing financial support can apply to the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

For Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme enquiries, please contact Northamptonshire Sport directly at [email protected]

Children in care or with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Families with children in care or with SEN need to meet the eligibility criteria above.

The government directly funds meals for children residing in local authority care homes.

Last updated 28 August 2026