Free School Meal eligibility
This information is from NCC's website - click here for updated info.
Apply for free school meals
We want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals. We use the Department for Education's free school meals eligibility checking system to determine eligibility.
To apply, you will need to register and provide:
- your National Insurance Number or National Asylum Support Service Reference Number
- your last name
- your date of birth
If your entitlement to free school meals cannot be assessed through the eligibility checking system, we will let you know. If you think you are eligible to the benefits listed below you can provide us with more details for a manual assessment.
You can apply for free school meals online or by contacting our customer service team. Alternatively you can complete an application form.
More information about free school meals:
You can apply online and will need:
- your personal details (including national insurance number and date of birth of the parent/carer)
- child’s details in full, including their date of birth and the school they attend.
If you are eligible for free school meals the start date will normally be within two working days of parents contacting us and entitlement being confirmed. Children attending maintained nurseries also qualify for a free school meal as long as they are receiving funded early years education before and after lunch.
Children transferring between schools that use Nottinghamshire County Council's eligibility assessment service do not need to reapply. For children attending a school that does not use this service you should contact the school directly for information about how to apply for free school meals.
If you are unable to apply online please contact our customer service team or complete an application form.
Section 512 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on maintained schools, academies and free schools to provide free school meals to all pupils of all ages that meet the criteria. There is no duty to provide free school meals if a child attends an independent setting.