Free school meals for families with no recourse to public funds

Families with no recourse to public funds can get free school meals for their children.

This includes:

• Zambrano carers
• families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
• families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction
• a subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Chen carers
• families holding a British National (Overseas) passport
• spousal visa holders
• work visa holders
• student visa holders
• those with no immigration status

Household income limit

If you live in London, to be eligible for free school meals your yearly household income cannot be more than:

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

If you live outside London, but your children go to school in Haringey, your yearly household income must be less. Contact us for more information.

Yearly household income includes you and your partner’s earnings, if any, and any other income.

Proof of status

You must confirm your no recourse to public funds status.

This list is not a complete list, but your proof could:

• relate to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and be a letter from the Home Office granting you leave to remain in the UK or a biometric residence card
• relate to section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and be a letter from the Home Office or local authority confirming Section 4 support or an ASPEN card
• be a current British National (Overseas) passport or visa
• be a spouse, work or student visa
• be a derivative residence card for Zambrano or Chen carers – if you do not have this then you must show that:
  • you as the carer or parent is not a British citizen
  • your child is a British citizen
  • you as the carer is a direct relative or legal guardian of the child, and you have the primary responsibility for the child
  • there are no other members of your family in the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA) who could look after the child

Proof of your income

You need to give us proof of all earnings, income and other financial support you and your partner get. 

This can be either 1 of the following:

• payslip
• P60
• bank statement
• letter from your bank
• letter from your employer
• letter from your local authority confirming support

This list is not a complete list and you may give us other relevant proof. 

How to apply  

Please download and complete the no recourse to public funds free school meal application form (pdf, 4 page(s), 146.66 KB).

Where to send the form 

Check if you need to apply through us or through your child's school.