Free school meals

Free School Meals can help families with the cost of their child's school lunches while ensuring children receive a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day.

Dudley Council offers Free School Meals to eligible children attending schools within the borough. Depending on your circumstances, your child may qualify for either Targeted Free School Meals or Expanded Free School Meals.

You can apply if your child attends a Dudley school and you receive a qualifying benefit.

Targeted Free School Meals

Your child may qualify for Targeted Free School Meals if you receive:

• Universal Credit and your household's annual net earned income is £7,400 or less (after tax and excluding benefits).
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• The guarantee element of Pension Credit.
• Support under the relevant eligibility criteria for families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Children who receive a qualifying benefit directly in their own right may also be eligible.

Targeted Free School Meals provide:

• A free school meal each school day.
• Eligibility for Pupil Premium funding for your child's school.
• Access to other support that may be linked to Free School Meals eligibility.

Expanded Free School Meals

From September 2026, children in households receiving Universal Credit who do not meet the income threshold for Targeted Free School Meals may qualify for Expanded Free School Meals. These awards provide a free school meal but do not attract Pupil Premium funding.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 attending a government-funded school are entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meals, regardless of household income.

If you receive a qualifying benefit, we still encourage you to apply for benefits-based Free School Meals as your child's school may receive additional funding through the Pupil Premium. 

You can apply:

• Online through your MyDudley account.
• By completing a paper application form.
• Through your child's school, who can submit an application on your behalf.

Once we receive your application, we will check your eligibility and notify you of the outcome.

If your application is approved:

• We will notify you in writing.
• Your child's school will be informed.
• Your child can start receiving free school meals from the award date.
• If you have already paid for meals from the award date, you may be entitled to a refund from your child's school. 

You must tell us if:

• Your child leaves a Dudley school.
• Your child no longer lives with you.
• Your address changes.
• Your circumstances change and may affect entitlement. 

Do I need to apply every year?

No. Eligibility is reviewed periodically, and we will contact you if your entitlement changes.

Can I apply for more than one child?

Yes. Applications can cover eligible children, but all children must be named on the application or have a separate application submitted where required.

My child already receives Universal Infant Free School Meals. Should I still apply?

Yes. If you receive a qualifying benefit, a successful application may enable your child's school to receive additional funding through the Pupil Premium. 

If you need help with an application or would like further advice contact us via My Dudley.

Our team will be happy to help with applications, eligibility checks and general enquiries.

Please note: We do not process claims for:

• Beacon Hill Academy
• Blanford Mere Primary School
• Blowers Green Primary School
• Fairhaven Primary School
• Greenfield Primary Academy
• Hawbush Primary School
• Kates Hill Primary School
• Netherbrook Primary School
• Old Park School
• Pegasus Academy
• Sledmere Primary School
• St James Academy
• The Link Academy

Please check these schools' websites to claim, or contact these schools directly.