Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School
Free School Meals
Free School Meals (information from LCC webpage)
Expanding free school meals eligibility
From September 2026 all households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of household income, will qualify for free school meals.
Who should apply
If you receive Universal Credit and your child is not getting free school meals, apply by filling in the LCC online form.
If you have already applied for free school meals and your child has been confirmed as eligible, you do not need to apply again. LCC will recheck your claim and tell your child's school before the start of the new September 2026 term.
Eligibility
Infant school meals
Your child will be able to get free school meals if they’re in reception class, year 1 or year 2. Ask the school for more information.
If you receive qualifying benefits or targeted free school meals, your child may be entitled to other programmes of support.
Year 3 and above and secondary
Expanded free school meals
Families receiving Universal Credit with earnings above £7,400.
Targeted free school meals
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Universal Credit with yearly household earnings of £7,400 or less.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guarantee element of Pension Credit
Children in this group may also be eligible for other programmes of support.
Other programmes of support
If your child is eligible for targeted free school meals, they may also be entitled to:
- free transport to school (if they also meet the age and distance criteria)
- Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) - fun activities during the school holidays
- Pupil Premium funding for the school - extra funding to raise the achievement of some pupils
Menus
You can get information about the meals available.
- For more information on our menus please click the "Menu" star.
How do I apply:-
Check your eligibility and apply for free school meals by clicking the link below or ring 01772 532109 (LCC)
What happens next
LCC will confirm whether you are eligible by email. If you are eligible, LCC will let the school know that your child can have free school meals. Remember to also check your spam or junk email folder.
If you are eligible, School will have a record of all children entitled to free school meals.
Please contact school if you have any questions.
Apply by phone
You can ring LCC on 01772 532109. It must be the person claiming the benefit that rings.
You will need to provide your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- National insurance number
They will confirm whether you are entitled over the telephone.
Apply by post
Download the application form at the bottom of the screen and return it to:-
South Area Education Office
Pupil Access Team, Lancashire County Council
County Hall
Preston
PR1 0LD
If you apply by post LCC will notify you by email, or post if you do not provide an email address.
Contact LCC
New applications
If you have recently applied and have not received a confirmation email, please allow 5 working days before contacting us. Remember to also check your spam or junk email folder.
We are currently managing an increase in applications since the government extended the eligibility criteria. We will try to respond to all applications before the start of the autumn term 2026.
You should contact your area education office if:
- any of your personal details change
- you have changed address
- your child has changed schools
If your child is moving to another school in Lancashire, you do not need to reapply for free school meals. Just contact your area education office to let them know. LCC will tell the school if your child is eligible for free school meals.
If you are moving to Lancashire from another area you’ll need to make a new application. If your eligibility is protected but your circumstances have changed your application may be refused. If this happens contact your area education office to let them know and LCC will tell the new school and ensure your eligibility is protected.
Free school meals email addresses by area:
Lancaster, Morecambe, Wyre and Fylde (North) - pupilaccessteam.north@lancashire.gov.uk
Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire (South) fsm.south@lancashire.gov.uk
Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale (East) fsm.east@lancashire.gov.uk