Parents

Free School Meals

Your child may be able to get free school meals.

Criteria for free school meals:

• Income support (IS)
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part V1 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 do not receive an annual gross income greater 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)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

Infant free school meals in England

Your child will be able to get free school meals if they’re in a government-funded school and in:

• Reception class
• Year 1
• Year 2

How to apply for free school meals

If you think your child may be entitled to a free school meal or want to find out more about Free School Meals Eligibility, contact your school office or your Local Council Office.