Free school meals

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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.

If you get certain benefits, you should apply so the school gets extra money. This will also make sure your child keeps getting free meals from Year 3.

Apply for free school meals online

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 can get free school meals if their parents or carers get certain benefits. These benefits include:

Universal Credit - GOV.UK (your yearly income must be below £7,400 after tax. Your monthly income cannot be over £616.67.)
Income Support - GOV.UK
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - GOV.UK
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - GOV.UK
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - GOV.UK
The Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit - GOV.UK
Child Tax Credit - GOV.UK (your yearly income must be below £16,190.)
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.

From the start of the 2026/27 school year, the Department for Education will extend entitlement to free school meals to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit.

Changes of circumstances

Since April 2018, pupils becoming eligible for free school meals under the benefits-based criteria will continue to receive free meals until the end of the 2025/26 school year. This applies, regardless of any change in household circumstances, including an increase in earnings above the eligibility threshold.

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, households must meet the eligibility criteria to be entitled to free school meals.

Children must be in school before and after lunchtime to get 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

If your child attends one of the academies listed below, contact the school to apply for free meals.

Huggg food vouchers for school holidays

Who is eligible for Huggg vouchers?

Children who receive free meals get Huggg food vouchers during school holidays. Children who get early years funding because their family has a low income can also get them at Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays.

The amount depends on the holiday but is at least £15 for half-term and at least £30 for longer holidays. The government pays for the vouchers through the Household Support Fund.

Vouchers for the summer holiday 2025 will be sent out the week starting Monday, 14 July 2025. To get a voucher, your child must be entitled to free school meals before the end of the school year.

You must activate your voucher before the expiry date, or it will be cancelled. Once you activate it, you have at least one year to use it.

How to get a Huggg voucher

Vouchers are given out by schools, colleges, and early years providers before each holiday.

If you have a voucher but don’t know how to use it, you can find help on the Huggg website: How do I use my voucher?

If you think you should get a voucher but haven't got one, contact your school or setting first.

If you still have problems, contact:

Email: Free.SchoolMeals@eastsussex.gov.uk (for school-aged children)
Email: EYEE@eastsussex.gov.uk (for nursery-aged children)
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 receive certain benefits to qualify.