Free School Meals

From 6^th April 2008, parents or guardians receiving one of the following support payments, are entitled to apply for Free School Meals:

Income Support
Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
Pension Credit (the guaranteed element)
Child Tax Credit only with a gross annual income of £15,575 or less, as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs and shown on the 2008/9 Tax Credit award letter.
Asylum seekers in this country who are able to provide Home Office papers showing a NASS reference number
Children in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance in their own right

Parents or guardians wishing to apply for Free Schools Meals for their child/children, must receive Child Benefit for each child that they wish to claim meals for and be able to provide proof of this benefit, if asked to do so by the Free School Meals Team.

You cannot apply for Free School Meals if you receive any of the following disqualifying income:

Working Tax Credit
A Fostering Allowance for any child you wish to claim Free School Meals for

This is because monetary provision has already been built into both of these awards, to pay for a school meal or for the provision of a packed lunch.

You can contact the free school meals team in several ways: -

Using the online form on this website
By email direct to the free school meals team
By phone on 01384 814988

Other ways to contact us