Information about Free School Meals

Children of families receiving income support, employment support allowance (income related) or income-based job seekers allowance are entitled to receive free school meals.

Families receiving child tax credit but who are not entitled to a working tax credit, and whose annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) does not exceed £16,190 are also entitled, as are those who receive the guarantee element of state pension credit. Those families receiving working tax credit are not entitled to free school meals.

Note: Where a parent is entitled to working tax credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are entitled to free school meals.

If you are receiving one of these benefits either contact the Headteacher of your child’s school to obtain an application form or call 0344 800 8020 for further advice.

Once entitlement has been assessed children can continue to receive free school meals until the family stops receiving a qualifying benefit. Parents are required to inform the authority of any changes and regular checks will be carried out against records held by the Department of Work and Pensions, the Home Office and HM Revenue & Customs by the free school meals team.

Please find our application forms for Free School Meals

free school Meal application Form