Apply for free school meals

Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals and how to apply.

You can apply online for free school meals. You'll get an immediate response and confirmation email after you've completed your application.

Suffolk County Council does not process applications for all schools in Suffolk, and you will need to speak directly to the following schools to apply for free school meals:

  • Ipswich Academy
  • Murrayfield Primary Academy
  • Piper’s Vale Primary School
  • Woodbridge Road Academy
  • The Pines Primary School

How to apply online for free school meals

If your child has been registered for free school meals since 1 April 2018, they will remain eligible until the end of the 2025/2026 school year, regardless of any changes in your circumstances.

The government has recently announced upcoming changes to the eligibility criteria for free school meals. However, these changes will not take effect until September 2026.

Any new applications submitted before September 2026 will be assessed using the current income-based criteria. You can find these in the Are You Eligible? section below.

More information about the new criteria will be available before the 2026/2027 school year begins.

Children in Nursery

If your child is attending a nursery school:

  • they must be in a maintained school nursery as a registered pupil at the school.
  • your child must be in receipt of education before and after lunch on the same day.
  • you must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit (as described below)

Note: You will not be able to apply over the phone because you need to provide an email address, password and sign the declaration stating that you have parental responsibility.

Beware of Scammers

Suffolk County Council will never ask for your personal bank details.


Live chat

You can contact Customer Service quickly and easily using live chat.

Live chat is available from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

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