Children are eligible for free school meals if their households have 'no recourse to public funds' (NRPF) – for example, those that cannot claim benefits – and household income is below maximum limits.
Eligible groups
Eligible groups include, but may not be limited to, children of:
- Zambrano carers – that is, carers who have the right to live in the UK because they are the main carer of a British citizen
- families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
- families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, who are also subject to a NRPF restriction
- a subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Chen carers – that is, carers who have the right to live in the UK because they are the main carer of a self-sufficient child who is a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA)
- families holding a British National (Overseas) passport
- spousal visa holders
- work visa holders
- student visa holders
- those with no immigration status
Income limits
Eligible groups can only apply for free school meals if their annual household income is below maximum limits. The income limits for families able to work are:
- £22,700 for families outside of London with 1 child
- £26,300 for families outside of London with 2 or more children
- £31,200 for families within London with 1 child
- £34,800 for families within London with 2 or more children
London limits apply to families that live within the local authority area of a London borough. The limits for outside London apply to families that do not live within one of the 33 London borough local authority areas.
Apply
To apply, download the form below and read it carefully.
Free school meals – 'no recourse to public funds' (NRPF)
If you are eligible, you can complete the form and return it by email or post to the address below.
