All primary school children attending state schools in London will get free school meals automatically for the full academic year starting September 2025.
You do not need to apply for these free meals if your child is in primary school.
However, if your child is in secondary school or a primary school child qualifies for additional support based on your household income or benefits, you will need to apply to receive free school meals and other related benefits.
Additional support and benefits
If your household receives certain benefits, your child may be eligible for additional support, including:
-
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program during Easter, Summer, and Winter holidays.
-
Extra government funding for your child's school (worth £1,300 per year) to support enrichment and additional support.
Who qualifies for additional support?
If your household receives any of the benefits below, you may be entitled to additional support:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit with a household income of less than £7,400 per year after tax and not including any benefit you receive. This equates to a net earned monthly income of £616 or below.
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- or are being supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
How to apply for additional support
- You must complete the 'free school meals' application form fully in a single visit (there is no way to save progress)
- You will need your National Insurance Number or National Asylum Support Service Number
- You will need names and date of births for each of your children you are applying for and the schools they attend
Special note for certain schools
If your child is attending any of the following schools, you must enquire and apply directly to the school for this additional funding:
- Springwest Academy
- Reach Academy
- Free schools and independent schools
- Richmond & Hillingdon schools
Holiday activities and food (HAF) program
If your child is eligible for Holiday activities (HAF), this is a great way for your child to have fun during the school holidays. Eligible children will have the opportunity to make new friends, take part in a variety of exciting activities, and they will have a healthy meal each day. Each activity session last for a minimum of four hours a day and operates in the following school holidays:
- Easter
- Summer
- Winter
The entitlement for each eligible child is:
- 4 days for 4 hours during Easter
- 16 days for 4 hours during Summer
- 4 days for 4 hours during Winter
You will need to register for Free school meals to receive your Holiday activities voucher approximately 5 weeks prior to the holiday events.
Please note:
- You will only be considered for Free School Meals if your address is within the Borough of Hounslow.
- If your child is already entitled to Free School Meals because you are receiving one of the qualifying benefits above, you do not need to reapply as your entitlement will continue until 31 August 2026.
Contact us
All enquiries relating to the Mayor of London Free School Meals should be directed to your school as the Council cannot assist you with this.
Otherwise: Email the schools meal team
