Parents or guardians should apply for free school meals if they receive certain benefits:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
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 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Universal Credit (if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you get)
This is important because, in addition to the universal free school meals for children in reception class, year 1, and year 2, children in other year groups may also be eligible for free school meals if their family meets the criteria.
Applying for free school meals not only ensures that your child receives a nutritious meal at school, but it also helps the school receive additional funding called ‘Pupil Premium’ to support your child’s education. If you think you might be eligible, you can apply through the Academy, you can either request for the form from the admin office or you can access a form on Arbor for your ease.
Your child’s eligibility for free school meals in England depends on their year group and your family’s circumstances:
Universal Free School Meals: All children in reception class, year 1, and year 2 are eligible for universal free school meals. This means they will automatically receive free school meals during these years.
Means-Tested Free School Meals: For children in other year groups, eligibility is based on your family’s receipt of certain benefits. If you continue to receive these qualifying benefits, your child will remain eligible for free school meals. The qualifying benefits include Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and others.
It’s important to keep your local authority informed of any changes in your circumstances, as this may affect your child’s eligibility for free school meals.