Apply for free school meals for your child

If you are the parent or guardian of a child in school, they may be eligible for free school meals.

If your child is in:

• primary school - this would include one free lunch a day
• secondary school - this would include daily allowance to pay for their lunch

The information about who receives free school meals is private.

The Free School Meals scheme (eFSM) requires eligible parents and guardians to apply.

But with the rollout of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM), all children in primary school in Wales will receive free school meals by September 2024.

All children in primary school in Neath Port Talbot will receive them by September 2023.

You should still apply for the free school meals scheme if you’re eligible even when the rollout of UPFSM means your child already receives free school meals.

This is because:

• you may be eligible for other support, such as the School Essentials Grant
• your school could get more funding

You might also be eligible for: 

• help with other school costs from Welsh Government
• other help from the council

You may be eligible if you are a parent or guardian of a child in school, and you receive one of these benefits:  

• Income Support 
• Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Employment and Support Allowance   
• Child Tax Credit 
• Pension Credit 
• Help under Immigration and Asylum Seekers Act 1999
• Universal Credit 

If you receive Universal Credit, your household earnings must be less than £7,400 a year after tax. This does not include any income from benefits. 

Make an application for the free school meals scheme if you are eligible, even if your child already receives free school meals with the rollout of UPFSM.

You can apply any time.

To apply, you will need your:  

• contact details
• child's details 
• child's school name 
• National Insurance number

You will get an email from us to confirm if and when your child will start receiving free school meals. 

If you have any questions about your application or need help to apply, you can contact:

You can also contact your school if you have any questions or need help applying.