Schools and learning

How to apply for free school meals and milk

1. Complete the How Can We Help application form online now
   
   OR
   
   follow the "Am I eligible for any of these benefits?" link below to find details of other ways to apply
2. You should then send your proof of benefit to the appropriate office (Follow the "Am I eligible..." link below to find which is your appropriate office)
3. If you are eligible we will then process your application and let the school know
4. You will need to renew your application every year. Please do not apply more than 3 months before the start of term as we will not be able to process these applications.

If you are eligible, your child will be allowed free school meals from either:

• the date your qualifying welfare benefit shows it was initially granted (we may be able to backdate to the start of term, see "Is this your first claim? Refunds" below),
  
  OR
• the date on the Proof of Benefit (which must be no more than 28 days old) unless this is an HM Revenue and Customs Tax Credit notice (TC602) which is only issued annually.

Is this your first claim? Refunds

Pupils at Primary School

If you are eligible for free school meals and have only just become aware of this, we may be able to give you back the money for up to the start of the current term for school meals (if your child has not left their primary school). You must provide us with proof of when your qualifying welfare benefit was originally granted to you.

Your child’s school will be able to arrange a refund for you, so please contact them first about it.

The school will need to take your details so that they can send the claim off to the school meals finance team to ask for a cheque. If the total refund comes to less than £20, they may simply give you the cash from their dinner money takings if they have it.

Pupils at Secondary School (including Middle School)

If your child goes to secondary school, any refund would be at the discretion of the school. This is because funding for school meals is delegated to each school in the secondary sector.

If your child attends a school outside Hertfordshire

If you are a Hertfordshire resident but your child attends a school outside Hertfordshire, you should still follow the steps above. We will process your application and let the school know. If you do not live in Hertfordshire you should first apply to your County/London borough where you are resident.

If your child lives with someone else

Normally, if you are eligible, we will only grant free school meals if you are living with the child receiving them. If you are a short term guardian of the child (up to 6 months) then you can apply using the normal process stated above. You will need to be receiving the benefits to be eligible.

School clubs and trips

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they may not necessarily be given free snacks or drinks if they attend school clubs (such as breakfast clubs, after school clubs, homework clubs, etc.) If your child goes on a school trip or attends a club/sports practice, the school must however provide a packed lunch or give your child money to purchase a meal (if available where they are going).

Nursery children

If eligible, your nursery child will be entitled to free school meals if they attend an all day nursery class. If your child attends a morning or afternoon session, they will only be entitled to free meals if they are provided as part of those sessions. We cannot provide free mid-morning/afternoon snacks.

We will offer free milk to all nursery pupils within the county (and to some children in reception classes). To be eligible for free milk the child must be aged four for the whole term (i.e. they must not turn five years of age before the last day of term).

Independent school

If your child attends an Independent school, we will not be able to process your claim. Please contact your child’s school about any help and support they can give.

College and higher education students

College students should apply directly to their college. If you are a full time student in Higher Education you will not be eligible for free meals, but can apply for a grant to cover this cost.
If you have a child in school and wish to apply for free school meals, please apply in the normal way for your child.

'Looked after' children

If you are a foster or kinship carer, money for school meals and milk has been included in your allowance.