Home chevron_right Benefits and support chevron_right Free school meals

Free school meals

If you're getting certain benefits, you'll be eligible to apply for free school meals for your child. You can check the eligibility page to find out more.

We're running a new project where eligible children are automatically signed up for free school meals. We'll write to you if your child is eligible. Find out more about the project.

Transitional protection (Universal Credit)

From 1 April 2018, every child who currently gets free school meals will keep getting them while Universal Credit is rolled out. This will apply even if your earnings are above the new threshold during that time.

Any child who becomes eligible for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will also be protected against losing free school meals during the Universal Credit roll out period.

Once Universal Credit is fully in place, if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, your child will still get free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (primary or secondary school).

Transitional protection applies to all children, whether they're eligible through legacy benefits or Universal Credit.

Transitional protections are given on a per-child basis, not on a per-family basis. This means that younger children will not automatically be entitled to free school meals just because their older sibling is getting transitional protection. The younger child must meet the eligibility criteria at the time the application is made.

Contact us

Email: fsm@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Phone: 01642 726541

Our phone lines are open Monday to Wednesday (10am to 4:30pm), and Friday (10am to 4pm). They are closed on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Post:
Free School Meals
PO Box 2
Middlesbrough
TS1 2YL