Last updated:
27th July 2023
Cost of living help for children at school
If you receive certain benefits, you can apply to a scheme called the pupil premium.
- This gives your school extra funding - up to £1300 per year, to help with your child’s education
- You can apply from when your child starts school
- Signing up to the pupil premium also means your child will get free school meals up until they leave
- You can talk to your child's school about how they use the funding from the pupil premium
Free school meals
To qualify for free school meals for your child you must receive one of the following:
- Income support
- Income-based job seeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Child Tax Credit - provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190
- The guarantee element of the State Pension Credit
To apply, visit the free school meals pages.
Keep in mind that even if your child is in years 1 and 2, and automatically receives free school meals, you should still complete the application if you qualify. Signing up means that your child's school will receive extra funding to help with your child's education.
