Dear Headteacher,
I am writing to inform you, all new applications for free school meals will soon be made online through Northumberland County Council`s Citizen Portal.
The link on the local authority`s website will be updated. This will direct parents to the Citizen Portal log-in page. Parents who already have their own log-in can sign in and make a free school meals application. New applicants must first register on the Portal before they can access the free school meals application.
Eligibility will be checked, and parents will receive confirmation of whether the application is successful, and their child(ren) is eligible to free school meals.
Or alternatively, the application is unsuccessful, because
- they are ineligible
- it has not been possible to check eligibility, and they should try again
- the application is incomplete
- further information is required
From 4th August, 2025 each individual school will receive an email alerting it to changes in its free school meal recipients. The school can then run its own report containing the up-to-date details. A guide on how to run the report is attached.
If you have any questions around the new application process, running reports or the upcoming changes, please contact the Free School Meals team direct – FSM@northumberland.gov.uk
