Free school meals

Your application will be automatically checked against the Department of Education’s Eligibility Checking Service. 

This will be done as you complete the details in the application form and will check eligibility based on the benefits you receive:

• if you are eligible, you will receive an immediate notification after completing the application form. We will then email you and the school to confirm the start date of your child’s free school meals – usually the next working day
• if the result is uncertain, you will be asked to upload further proof of your benefit(s) before completing the application form - this will be reviewed and you will receive notification within 15 working days that your application has been successful or that you are not entitled to free school meals
• if you already have an active application your child/children will remain eligible for free school until the end of March 2025

We are unable to backdate claims for free school meals to cover unpaid dinner money, or to refund dinner money paid prior to the date of a successful application.

MyWestminster account

Please ensure the person applying is the benefit recipient and also the parent or guardian.

You will need to register for a MyWestminster account. This is to ensure all of your data is secure and protected.

Please have the following information available:

• children’s full name(s)  
• date(s) of birth
• evidence of benefits received
• National Insurance Number or National Immigration and Asylum Support Number