Free school meals

Applications for free school meals can be made online. Please read the information on this page fully before you submit an application.

You can claim free school meals online using the by clicking at the top of this page.

Please read the information below before you make an application.

Universal credit – new rules from September 2026

All Universal Credit Claimants with children at school are entitled to Free School Meals from September 2026.   

Does the Council process Free School meals for my child’s school? 

Check the school list below. If your child’s school is not listed you will need apply to the school directly. 

Badger Hill Academy Highcliffe Primary School Lockwood Primary School Outwood Academy Normanby Teesville Academy
Belmont Primary School Hummersea Primary School New Marske Primary School Outwood Academy Redcar Westgarth Primary School
Chaloner Primary School Ings Farm Primary School Newcomen Primary School Overfields Primary School Wheatlands Primary School
Coatham C of E Primary School John Emmerson Batty Primary School Normanby Primary School Riverdale Primary School Whitecliffe Academy
Errington Primary School Kilton Thorpe Specialist Academy Nunthorpe Academy Rye Hills Academy Wilton Primary Academy
Freebrough Academy Kirkleatham Hall School Nunthorpe Primary Academy Skelton Primary School Zetland Primary School
Galley Hill Primary School Lakes Primary School Ormesby Primary School South Bank Community Primary School  
Green Gates Primary School Lingdale Primary School Outwood Academy Bydales St Peter's C of E Primary School  

Is my child entitled to free school meals? 

A child can receive a Free School meal if their parent or guardian meets the following conditions: 

  1. They receive Universal Credit
  2. They receive Income Support 
  3. They receive Income Related Employment and Support Allowance 
  4. They receive Guaranteed Pension Credit 
  5. They receive support under part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  6. Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

I have no recourse to public funds is my child entitled to a free school meal

If you are a low income household your child may be eligible for a free school meal even if you are not entitled to any benefits in the United Kingdom. Entitlement will be assessed using government income thresholds. 

My child is at nursery are they entitled to a free school meal?

A child can receive a Free School meal if: 

  • Their parent or guardian meets one of the conditions listed (1-6) above; 

and 

  • The child receives education before and after the lunch time period
  • The child attends a state maintained nursery or an academy nursey.

Children attending privately run nurseries cannot receive free school meals 

My child attends college are they entitled to a free school meal?   

Students can receive free school meals if they attend a sixth form college in a Redcar & Cleveland School.

My child attends a Further Education College can they get a free school meal?

If your child attends a further education college you will need contact the college to see if your child is entitled to any assistance. 

My child is in reception are they entitled to a free school meal?

All children in reception, year one and year two, are automatically entitled to free school meals. 

How do I apply? 

Online You can apply by clicking here or you can also print a copy of the Free School Meals application form below:

If you have no recourse to public funds and cannot apply online you will need to use the application form below:

Paper printed application forms can handed in at your child's school; or you can take a photograph of the pages on the form and email it to educationalbenefits@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk; or you can hand it in or post it to:

Educational Benefits Department 

Redcar & Cleveland House, 

Kirkleatham Street, Redcar,

TS10 1RT

I need assistance in making a claim 

If you require assistance to make an application you can call us on 01642 774774 and ask to be put through to the Educational Benefits Team. 

The easiest way to apply is online. If you cannot do this yourself you should ask a family member or a friend to help if possible before you contact us. We have a small team and limited resources to deal with enquiries. 

What happens next? 

If your child is entitled to a Free School Meal we will let the school know this. We will only process claims for the schools listed at the top of this page.  

My circumstances have changed I’m not sure my child can still receive a free school meal?  

If your circumstances you need to tell us.  You can do this by emailing us at: educationalbenefits@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or by calling 01642 774774 and ask to be put through to the Educational Benefits Team. 

Examples of changes that you need to tell us about are: 

  • If you start work or have a change in benefit
  • If you change address
  • If your child changes school
  • If your child moves address and is no longer living with you

How we use the information that you provide and keep it safe

When you apply for free school meals, we will use and process your information for the purposes of assessing your application only. 

Your data will be kept confidentially and will not be shared unless there is a legal reason for doing so. For more information please visit our privacy notice

www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/about-the-council/privacy-notices/corporate-privacy-notice