We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
Updated 9 June 2022
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities/providing-free-school-meals-to-families-with-no-recourse-to-public-funds-nrpf
We have permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds.
This guidance explains who these groups are and how schools can verify their eligibility and award free school meals.
Schools and local authorities are not able to use the eligibility checking system (ECS) to confirm eligibility for these families as the family will not be in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits.
These groups include, but may not be limited to children of:
The maximum income threshold differs based on your location and the number of children that your family has.
Under the permanent extension of free school meal eligibility to all NRPF groups, the annual household income thresholds for those families able to work are:
Whether or not a person will be considered within the London or the outside London threshold will be determined by the address of the family.
If the family is living within the local authority of one of the 33 London boroughs, the London thresholds will apply. If the family does not live within one of these local authorities, the outer London thresholds will apply.
This map shows the boroughs that form London.
We have provided a sample application form, including a self-declaration that you can provide to families and carers for verifying eligibility.
Though the form is designed for applicants to complete themselves, we appreciate that individual circumstances may make this difficult, and schools can assist with the completion if required.
Use of the sample application form is not mandatory. You can create your own form if you prefer.
You should record eligible free school meals pupils who qualify through the NRPF criteria in the termly school census, in the same way as all other free school meals pupils.
You should retain evidence of the application including the self-declaration and any supporting documentation for usual audit purposes.
We have provided examples of how families can demonstrate their NRPF status. This list is not necessarily exhaustive and families may be able to provide alternative evidence not listed.
In all cases, the family should complete and sign the self-declaration form confirming both their immigration category and that they are not above the maximum income threshold required for their area.
Families will be able to provide a letter from the Home Office granting them leave to remain in the UK or a biometric residence card.
Families will be able to provide a letter from the Home Office or local authority confirming Section 4 support or an ASPEN card.
Families will be able to show either a BN(O) passport or visa.
Families will be able to show their visa.
In many (but not all) cases, the family will be able to show a derivative residence card. If they do not hold this, they must be able to show that:
Check the income thresholds for your area.
Families should complete a self-declaration of their income as part of their application.
To verify this, we suggest you ask to see one of the following:
Schools can claim additional pupil premium funding in 2022 to 2023 for pupils that have become eligible as a result of this permanent extension of free school meal eligibility.
Prior to the permanent extension, a temporary extension was in place for some children of groups who have NRPF. Schools were able to claim additional pupil premium for pupils eligible for free school meals under the previous temporary extension between 1 March 2022 and 1 April 2022.
This claims form only covers the additional pupils that became eligible under this permanent extension, and does not include pupils that were eligible for free school meals under the previous temporary extension.
The pupils submitted in this claims process will also be eligible for recovery premium funding.
Submit your NRPF claims form before 11:59pm on 8 July 2022.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.
