How to apply for free school meals
To apply for your child to receive free school meals you must complete the correct application form for each of your school aged children.
All families with children attending a school in Newham are encouraged to apply once for free school meals during their child’s time in a state-funded school in Newham. This ensures we maximise the amount of Pupil Premium funding schools receive to provide additional school based support for children in receipt of targeted free school meals and saves time for families.
Unless your name or National Insurance number changes, there is no need for you to reapply, throughout the time your child attends a state-funded school in Newham.
Eligibility is reviewed regularly using details provided on your latest application.
Application process
Children who attend a stated funded school in Newham, even if you do not live in Newham: you must complete our form.
Children who attend a stated funded school outside of Newham, even if you live in Newham: you must complete the form supplied by the local authority or school where the school is located. To avoid any delays, we suggest you ask your child’s school about their local process.
Make sure you have your National Insurance number to hand before you start the free school meal application process. We use your National Insurance number to find out from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) whether your household qualifies for free school meals.
Important note: The DWP will only tell us if, using the details you provided on the application, if your child is eligible for free school meals. They will not give us any information about the benefits or income you receive.
