Free school meals, supermarket vouchers

Find out how parents and carers in Croydon can get support with school meals, food costs and the Early Years Pupil Premium

Universal free school meals in primary schools

All children in Croydon state-funded primary schools get a free school meal. Private or independent schools are not included.

Meals are automatically given to all pupils and no application is needed.

However if parents are eligible, we recommend that they register for benefits-related free school meals when their child is in primary school.

Registering for benefits related free school meals gives:

  • your child’s school extra funding through Pupil Premium
  • your family access to supermarket food vouchers in school holidays
  • your child access to free places on the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme

We work with schools and use information we already hold, for example Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction data, to identify pupils who may be entitled to free school meals.

If we think your child is eligible, we will contact you and your child’s school. However, it is always best to make an application yourself if you believe you qualify.  If you qualify you can access supermarket vouchers and the holiday activity and food (HAF) programme.

Your child may be entitled if you receive:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying)
  • Child Tax Credit (with annual income below £16,190, and no Working Tax Credit)
  • Universal Credit if applied on or after 1 April 2018 and household earned income is less than £7,400 a year (after tax and before benefits)

If your child is already eligible, they will keep their free school meals until they finish primary (Year 6) or secondary school (Year 11), even if your income changes.

How to apply

Applications for Free school meals are made through your child’s school. Contact the school for information about applying.

Holiday supermarket vouchers

If your child is registered for benefits-related free school meals, you may also get supermarket vouchers in the school holidays. These are given by your child’s school to help with food costs during the Holidays.

Help with school uniform costs

We  do not provide help with school uniform or PE kit. If you need support, please speak directly to your child’s school.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Children aged between 9 months and 4 years who receive government funded early education may be able to get extra funding to support them in their early years setting.

EYPP is paid to nurseries and childcare providers directly who use it to support your child’s learning and development.
Speak with your child’s early years setting if you are unsure if your child receives this.  

You can permit your childcare provider to apply for EYPP for your child via a parental agreement. 

Families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Some children in families with NRPF can get Benefits Related free school meals if household income is below the threshold.

Income thresholds

  • £31,200 a year for families in London with 1 child
  • £34,800 a year for families in London with 2 or more children

Eligible groups include children of:

  • Zambrano carers
  • Chen carers
  • Families with NRPF granted leave to remain on private or family life grounds (Article 8 ECHR)
  • Families supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who have NRPF
  • A subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • BN(O) passport holders
  • Spousal, work or student visa holders
  • People with no immigration status

You can apply directly through your child’s school if you are eligible.