Free School Meals
Ways to qualify for free school meals
Universal infant free school meals
All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 are entitled to free meals regardless of household income. You don’t need to apply. See GOV.UK - Universal infant free school meals.
Targeted free school meals
Eligible pupils are from households who:
- get Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
- get support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- get Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee element of Pension Credit
- are families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Children on targeted free school meals will be eligible for Pupil Premium and the Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF). They may also qualify for school travel assistance.
Expanded free school meals (new from September 2026)
Pupils from households that receive Universal Credit. They will only receive free school meals and no other support or funding.
If your child goes to one of the East Sussex academies listed below, contact the school to apply for free school meals.
Ark Alexandra
Ark Blacklands
Ark Castledown
Ark Little Ridge
Breakwater
Hawkes Farm
High Cliff
Hollington
Peacehaven Heights
Telscombe Cliffs
Thornton Grove
White House
Out of county schools
If your child attends a school outside of East Sussex (including Brighton & Hove), please contact the school to apply for free meals.
Eligibility rechecks
Eligibility will be checked annually. The checked result is valid for the full academic year.
Contact the Free School Meals team
Email: free school meals queries
Phone: 0300 330 9472 (10 am to 3 pm)