Free School Meals

Applying for free school meals

Parents should apply through the Citizen Portal which is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.

To stay up-to-date on the latest free school meals communications please ensure you are registered to the free school meals topics on our Schools Communications website.

Free school meals are available to pupils (16–19-years old) in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
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 guarantee element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

In addition, the following pupils will be protected against losing their free school meals:

Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out. This applies regardless of any change in household circumstances, including if their earnings rise above the threshold during that time. Protections will remain in place until the end of the 2025/26 school year.
From the start of the 2026/27 school year, the Department for Education will extend entitlement to Free School Meals to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit. The DfE will issue further guidance ahead of September 2026.

For more information about these changes, please visit the Devon County Council School meals webpage on the Children, families and education website.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FAQ