Free School Meals

Do you know if your child is entitled to free school meals?

There are two schemes for free school meals:

• universal infant free school meals for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – you don’t need to apply as they’re automatically given at the school
• free school meals for people on qualifying benefits – you’ll need to apply for these
• To find out if you are eligible for free school meals you can check online here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

• Alternatively, contact the school office who will be able to apply on your behalf.

Criteria for free school meals for people on qualifying benefits

Children attending our schools whose parents or carers receive any of these benefits are entitled to free school meals:

• income support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re 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 four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit with annual take home pay/met earnings below £7,400 (which equals £616.67 per month) benefits not included