Bolton says you may already be covered, but if you don’t receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, you need to apply for free school meals. The easiest route is through Bolton’s benefits online claim form. Make a claim
| Situation | What Bolton says |
|---|---|
| If you already receive or have recently applied for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support | You do not need to apply separately for free school meals |
| If your child moves from primary to secondary school and is already getting free school meals | Their entitlement continues automatically at the new school |
| If you have already applied for help with school uniforms | Bolton will look at free school meals at the same time, so you don’t need a separate application |
| If you do not receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support | You need to apply for free school meals |
| If you are receiving support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 | Contact Achievement Cohesion and Integration Service (ACIS) |
If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2, Bolton’s universal free school meals are handled by your school and you do not apply online. For income-related free school meals, the online claim form is the main application route.