Help with the cost of 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.
Who can apply?
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.
How to apply
You can apply:
- Online through your MyDudley account
- By completing a paper application form (see below)
Once we receive your application, we will check your eligibility and notify you of the outcome.
Free School Meal - Online Application Form:
Free School Meal applications can now be processed via MYDudley at https://my.dudley.gov.uk
