To apply for free school meals in Newham, you need to complete the council’s application form. If your child attends a school outside Newham, you should follow that school’s published process and ask the school for advice.
| What you need to do | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply | Complete the Newham free school meals form |
| Information to have ready | Your National Insurance number |
| How Newham checks eligibility | Newham uses your National Insurance number to check with the Department for Work and Pensions whether you qualify |
| Who can apply | A parent or other family member with parental responsibility |
| If someone else is helping | School staff, a social worker, your GP or Citizens Advice Bureau can apply on your behalf |
You can start here: Apply for free school meals
If your child already attends a state-funded school in Newham, the council asks families to apply even where children already get a free lunch through the universal primary scheme, because it helps Newham secure extra school funding.