Free School Meals
Download an Application Form for Free School Meals HERE
Changes to free school meal eligibility under Universal Credit
The eligibility criteria for free school meals have been changed. This letter explains the changes and how they might affect you.
What are the new eligibility criteria?
Children are entitled to receive free school meals if they or their parents or guardians receive any of the benefits below.
- Universal Credit, provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
- Where they are entitled to Child Tax Credit and also 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.
I don’t currently claim free school meals – what does this mean for me?
If you think you might be eligible for free school meals, submit a claim to your school or local authority. Your school should have a form you can use. The information you provide will be used to check if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and, if you are on Universal Credit, that your earnings do not exceed the threshold. If you claim Universal Credit, your earnings will be assessed from up to three of your last Universal Credit assessment periods.
If you are eligible, your school will be notified. Your child will receive free school meals and will continue to do so until the end of the Universal Credit Rollout period. The rollout period is currently scheduled to end in March 2024.
Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meal until the end of their current phase of education, i.e. primary or secondary.
I am currently claiming free school meals – what does this mean for me?
Most people won’t be affected by the new criteria. If you’re currently claiming free school meals, but don’t meet the new criteria, your child will continue to receive free school meals until the end of the Universal Credit rollout period. This will apply even if your earnings rise above the new threshold or if you stop being entitled to Universal Credit. The rollout period is currently scheduled to end in March 2024.
Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meal until the end of their current phase of education, i.e. primary or secondary.
In school we provide the following for students qualified for Free School Meals:
- £2.50 is available for purchases in the cafe for Breakfast (before school only; allowances are not rolled over to break and lunchtime)
- £3.20 is available for purchasing a hot lunch or healthy sandwich meal at either break or lunchtime.
Where can I get more information?
You can visit the free school meal website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals. Application forms are available from the school office or download from the link at the top of this page.