Free school meals
Infant Free School Meals
Your child gets free school meals if they’re in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2. You do not need to apply for them.
However, if you receive a qualifying benefit, you should apply now, as your child's school will receive additional funds. This will also ensure your child gets free school meals when they enter Year 3.
Our Admissions team oversees claims for free school meals.
Contact details
Email: free school meals queries
Phone: 0300 330 9472 (10 am to 3 pm)
Children in Year 3 and older
Children in Year 3 and above may get free school meals if their parents or carers get any of these benefits:
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Universal Credit - GOV.UK (with an annual household income below £7,400 after tax, not including other benefits). In other words, your monthly net earned income cannot exceed £616.67.
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Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK
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Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - GOV.UK
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Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK (with an annual household income of less than £16,190).
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Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit). Anyone who gets Working Tax Credit itself won’t get free school meals.
In addition, to minimise the impact of the rollout of Universal Credit, pupils are currently protected against losing their benefits-related free school meals. This applies when the parental earnings rise above the threshold of £7400 per year.
Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out (planned for March 2025), any existing pupil whose parent no longer meets the eligibility criteria will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education, i.e., primary or secondary.
Children must be in school before and after lunchtime to qualify for free meals.
If your child goes to one of the East Sussex academies listed below, contact the school to apply for free school meals.
Primary academies
- Ark Blacklands
- Ark Castledown
- Ark Little Ridge
- Breakwater
- Burfield
- Hawkes Farm
- High Cliff
- Hollington
- Peacehaven Heights
- Phoenix
- Telscombe Cliffs
- White House
Out of county
Contact your child's school if they do not attend school in East Sussex.
Huggg food vouchers for school holidays
Who is eligible for Huggg vouchers?
Children who get free school meals are eligible for Huggg food vouchers during school holidays. Children who qualify for early years funding because they are from a low-income household can also get them, but at Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays.
The amount depends on the length of the holiday, but it is at least £15 for half-term and at least £30 for longer holidays. The central government funds the vouchers through the Household Support Fund.
Vouchers for the Christmas holiday 2024 will be sent out in the week starting Monday, 16 December. To qualify for a voucher, entitlement to free school meals must be verified before schools close.
Once you receive your voucher, you must activate it by the expiry date. If you do not, it will be cancelled. Once you activate the voucher, you have at least one year to spend.
How to get a Huggg voucher
The vouchers are issued by schools, colleges, and early years providers before each holiday.
If you have already received your voucher but are unsure how to use it, you can find helpful guides on the Huggg website: How do I use my voucher?
If you think you are eligible but haven’t received a voucher, please get in touch with your school or setting first.
If you are still having issues, please get in touch with one of the following:
- Email: Free.SchoolMeals@eastsussex.gov.uk (for school-aged children)
- Email: EYEE@eastsussex.gov.uk (for nursery-aged children)
- or your child's college for sixth-formers.
Healthy Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit and vegetables. You need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify.
Stay healthy
Help your family be healthier and happier, by eating well and moving more.
Cost of living
Find out what support is available to help with the cost of living:
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