Free School Meal Holiday Payments

Primary and Secondary pupils only

Free school meal payments will be made to cover school holidays for pupils in P1 - S6 who are registered for free school meals. School leavers are not eligible to receive a payment.

The table below outlines the schedule of payments

Free school meal payment

Amount

Date payment to be made

Easter Holiday Payment

£28.20

1 April for those currently registered and eligible before 25 March 2026

New applications received and processed between 26 March and 2 April will receive payment by 10 April 2026

Any new applications received after 2 April will not be eligible to receive the Easter free school meals holiday payment.

Children receiving universal free school meals (those in P1 to P5 and P6 to P7 on Scottish Child Payment, not qualifying for free school meals) are not eligible to receive free school meal payments.

You can apply for free school meals if you have not applied previously; find out whether you are eligible online or email freeschoolmeals@eastlothian.gov.uk