Claiming for free school meals
We want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their free school meals, and we want to make it as easy as possible for parents. We have therefore uploaded a 'how to apply' guide at the bottom of this page. Free school meals offer a healthy, wide selection of options for your child at lunch time and can save families approximately £460 per year. If your child is in the infants and already has school meals, check to see if your child will continue to receive free school meals when they are older by applying. You will qualify for free school meals if you meet any of the qualifying benefits below. If you are still unsure as to whether your child is eligible then you should apply anyway- this way you can ensure that your child is not missing out!
Qualifying benefits
Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the qualifying benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earning from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- 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 guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after the person stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
