Free School Meals
School meals are a great way to ensure your child is eating a healthy and well-balanced meal during the school day. School meals meet the Government’s rigorous nutritional standards, which have been put in place to make meals healthier and give children what they need to develop, grow and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I Eligible?
Your child is entitled to Free School Meals if you or your partner (living at the same address)receive one or more of the following:
- Universal Credit – with a household income less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- Support from the National Asylum Support Services (NASS) under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit provided you are NOT also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
You can also receive Free School Meals if you are a pupil receiving a qualifying benefit.
Can I still claim Free School Meals/Pupil Premium Payment if I receive Working Tax Credits?
You are only eligible to apply for Free School Meals/Pupil Premium Payment if you receive one of the qualifying benefits. Where a parent/carer is entitled to Working Tax Credits during a 4-week period immediately after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit, they are eligible to claim Free School Meals for that 4-week period only. In this circumstance we will be unable to confirm eligibility using the Eligibility Checking service, so it will be your responsibility to provide a copy of your Tax Credit Decision Notice.
child’s school. School meals are a great way to ensure your child is eating a healthy and well-balanced meal during the school day. School meals meet the Government’s rigorous nutritional standards, which have been put in place to make meals healthier and give children what they need to develop, grow and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
How do I Apply?