Free school meals
Could Your Child Be Eligible for Free School Meals?
If you think your child may be entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals, we strongly encourage you to apply.
From the 2026/27 academic year, children from households receiving Universal Credit can qualify for free school meals regardless of household income. Children may also qualify where a parent or carer receives certain other benefits, including:
Apply online:LCC Free School Meals
If you have previously applied and were told that your child was not eligible, Leicester City Council advises families to reapply, as the eligibility rules have changed for 2026/27.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 already receive Universal Infant Free School Meals automatically.
Download the information above as a pdf document: Could Your Child Be Eligible for Free School Meals
If you think your child may be entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals, we strongly encourage you to apply.
From the 2026/27 academic year, children from households receiving Universal Credit can qualify for free school meals regardless of household income. Children may also qualify where a parent or carer receives certain other benefits, including:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on
Apply online:LCC Free School Meals
If you have previously applied and were told that your child was not eligible, Leicester City Council advises families to reapply, as the eligibility rules have changed for 2026/27.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 already receive Universal Infant Free School Meals automatically.
Download the information above as a pdf document: Could Your Child Be Eligible for Free School Meals
