Free School Meals and Uniform Grant

Follow this link to apply for free school meals.

When we receive your application form we will check to see if you should get free school meals by looking at the main government database. If you are not sure, it’s best to apply anyhow so you get help if you need it. When you apply for housing and council tax benefit we will treat it as a claim for free school meals as well, unless you tell us not to.

A meal for every child – don’t miss out!

Many children are missing out on free healthy, tasty school meals, which could save parents on average £300 per child every year.

Who can get free school meals?

Please download our easy guide Can I get free school meals? at the bottom of the page.

Free school meals are available for children who are attending a school, regardless of whether they live in Luton or not, whose parent/guardian is receiving a qualifying benefit. Only children attending school for at least one session before and one session after lunch can receive free school meals.

If your child lives in Luton, but is attending a school outside of Luton, they should apply for free school meals to the local authority in which that school is based.

Your child will be entitled to free school meals if you or your partner receives any of the following benefits:

• Income support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit and you are not getting Working Tax Credit and an annual income less than £16,190 shown on the TC602(a)Tax Credit letter
• Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ (the payment you may receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

If you qualify for free school meals you can also receive a school uniform voucher to the value of £25 per child. Vouchers are available for children four years and above, until statutory school age, for children who live in Luton regardless of what school they attend. Please contact Education Welfare on the telephone number below to obtain your voucher.

If your child is attending a Luton school but lives outside of the borough you will not qualify for a school uniform voucher.

If you receive Working Tax Credit and Child tax Credit, you are NOT entitled to receive free school meals or the school uniform voucher, even if you are on a low income.

Children who receive Income Support or income based Job Seeker's Allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school meals, if they are still at school.

To learn more about the benefits of school meals, download the form at the bottom of the page.

If you want more information download the Questions about free school meals form at the bottom of the page or call us on the number below.

You can also visit us at our customer service centre at the town hall.