Free School Meals

School meals can save you time on preparing lunches and offer children and young people a wide choice of healthy and tasty food. 

A hot, freshly prepared meal can also help with learning, concentration, and behaviour. 

The food provided throughout the school day should meet the government’s school food standards. The food standards help children develop healthy eating habits and ensure they have the energy and nutrition needed to get the most from their school day. For more information on school food standards visit Standards for school food in England.

Please see below information about who can get free school meals:

1. Targeted Free School Meals

Who gets it?
Children whose families receive Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less and certain benefits. If eligible, your child will receive free school meals throughout their school and further education up to age 19, extra school funding and access to South Gloucestershire Council’s Holiday Activities and Food programme. You need to apply and eligibility will be checked regularly.

2. Expanded Free School Meals (NEW from September 2026)

Who gets it?
From September 2026, children in households receiving Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 and some other qualifying benefits will be entitled to free school meals throughout their school and further education up to age 19. You need to apply, and annual eligibility checks will be made.

Applying for free school meals  

If you are eligible for free school meals you need to apply for each child when they start school. 

If your child is starting school then please submit your application to South Gloucestershire Council in August, the month before your child is due to start.

All eligible free school meal claims will be rechecked annually before the start of each academic year to ensure they still qualify.

If you have moved to the area and were receiving free school meals, then you need to either reapply using the online form below or provide evidence of the award letter or email you received from the previous authority.   

You can check if you are eligible for free school meals by using South Gloucestershire Council’s online application form, through their Citizen Portal on the following link:

The South Gloucestershire Council Citizen Portal 

If you are unable to access the online application or require additional help please telephone South Gloucestershire Council’s Contact Centre on 01454 868008.